See Also: overture(dictionary)
overture(encyclopedia)
overture(dictionary)

overtone (sh) and overture (iou)


overtone (sh)




In acoustics, a faint higher tone contained within almost any musical tone.

A body producing a musical pitch
such as a taut string or a column of air within the tubular body of a wind instrument
vibrates not only as a unit but simultaneously also in sections, resulting in the presence of a series of overtones within the fundamental tone (i.e., the one identified as the actual pitch). Harmonics are a series of overtones resulting when the partial vibrations are of equal sections (e.g., halves, thirds, fourths). Partials are nonharmonic overtones
that is, tones the frequencies of which lie outside the harmonic series. Overtones contribute greatly to the timbre of a given sound source, even though few listeners are aware of hearing any pitch except the fundamental. There are a few rare examples of the human voice creating overtones, notably in the chants of the Tibetan monks and the songs of the Tuvan throat singers. The latter can sometimes produce two overtones.


overture (iou)



overture noun & verb. LME.
[Old French (mod. ouverture) from Latin apertura APERTURE, infl. by French ouvrir open.]
A. noun.
An aperture, an orifice, a hole. LME-M18.
An opening of negotiations towards some proceeding or settlement; a formal proposal or offer. Usu. in pl. LME.
W. S. Maugham She repelled the overtures of friendship. F. Astaire I..made overtures to them about releasing me from my coming options.
The disclosure of information about something; a revelation; a declaration. M16-M17.
a. Scottish History. A proposal for consideration by a legislative body; spec. a bill placed before the Scottish Parliament for enactment. M16.
b. Ecclesiastical. A formal motion proposing or calling for legislation, presented to the supreme court of a Presbyterian Church. L16.
(An) overturning of something, (an) overthrow. M16-M17.
A beginning, a commencement; fig. a first indication or hint of something. L16-E18.
A favourable situation or opportunity. E17-M18.
Music. An orchestral piece opening or introducing (and freq. based on themes from) an opera or Other extended composition; a one-movement composition in this style. M17.
C. Ives Let him..try to put that glory into an overture..chuck-full of Scotch tunes.
The opening or introductory part of a poem. L19.
b. verb trans.
gen. Offer as a suggestion or proposal; propose (that). rare. M17.
Ecclesiastical.
a. Present as an overture to the supreme court of a Presbyterian Church. L17.
b. Present as an overture to (the supreme court of a Presbyterian Church). M19.
Music. Introduce as with an overture or prelude. L19.