over·ture 
/ˈoʊvɚtʃɚ/ noun
plural over·tures /ˈoʊvɚtʃɚ/ noun [count] 1 : a piece of music played at the start of an opera, a musical play, etc. 2 : something that is offered or suggested with the hope that it will start a relationship, lead to an agreement, etc.
▪ The government has made a significant peace overture by opening the door to negotiation. ▪ He was making (romantic/sexual) overtures to her during dinner. ▪ The company's board rejected overtures [=offers] for a merger. 3 : the first part of an event : the beginning of something
▪ Experts feared that the tremor was an overture [=prelude] to a major earthquake.
▪ The government has made a significant peace overture by opening the door to negotiation. ▪ He was making (romantic/sexual) overtures to her during dinner. ▪ The company's board rejected overtures [=offers] for a merger.
▪ Experts feared that the tremor was an overture [=prelude] to a major earthquake.
