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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Overture, Ouverture, n. Also: ovirt-, owert-, owirt- and -ur, -uir, -our(e, -or(e, -er. [ME. and e.m.E. overture (14th c.), ouverture (1453), an opening (14th c.), opening of negotiations, proposal (1433), OF. overture, F. ouverture, opening.]

1. A proposal, suggestion or recommendation for action.Const. as next sense.(a) 1560 Cal. Sc. P. I. 541.
Protesting … that this my ouverture proceidit of no uther intent [etc.] Ib. 548. 1591 Mining Rec. 26.
New ouvertures maid to him anent his metals be sum Almans, Inglismen and Scotsmen 1647 J. Hope Diary in Misc. Hist. Soc. III. 141.
So wee needed not thinke of makeing both sort glasses in one fornace which was my ouvertur to him 1656 Johnston Diary (1940) 32.
I got a letter from Argyle to my wyfe of the ouverture if I would taik the Registers(b) 1561 Reg. Privy C. I. 193.
That ane generall conventioun suld be appointit … and be the avyise of the hale ane ressonable overture maid and ordoure takin for … quieting of the hale cuntre 1570 Cal. Sc. P. III. 184.
[The boldness to make this] ovirtour [unto you] 1570 Leslie 170.
Henry, King of Ingland … send for the Erle of Cassillis [etc.] … and maid ane overture of his mynde, proponing the said matter unto thame 1586 Cal. Sc. P. IX. 10. 1593 Cochran-Patrick Coinage I. 264.
In the second he wald seim to say his maiestie war laith to imitate his overtouris quhilk appeirandlie hes bein to mekill followed 1598 James VI Basil. Doron I. 21/15.
I haue … in this treatise touched all the principall sicknesses in our kingdome with ouertures for the remedies therof 1619 Rec. Univ. Aberd. 277.
To sie quhat overture and securitie he wald give for redressing thingis c1630 Scot Narr. 169.
In end the King demanded what overture they wold give for the other point. They answered, the best overture was to have a free general assembly 1632 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 356. 1638 Dickson in Sel. Biog. II. 28.
And first to think of overtures, how we may extirpat all grounds of suspition and jealousie 1668 Edinb. Surgeons II. 21.
That none sall giff thair judgment overture or vote in any bussines untill thay be speired at be the deaken c1680 W. Row Blair 143.
After prayer, when they were consulting what to do, Mr. Livingstone proponed an overture, … viz. [etc.] 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. ii. xxiii. § iv. (1699) 495. Ib. 496.
I wish that the justices were judges both to relevancy and probation, which overture seems most fit … for these reasons 1678 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 359. 1681 Ib. XI. 4.
To hear his overtour for keiping the toun clean 1689 Leven & Melv. P. 151.
To hav ther thoughts upon overturs and mides to aggry the King and thes heroes(c) 1599 Conv. Burghs II. 57.
Owertouris c 1611 Colquhoun Chart. 217.
Ane speciall owertour for transplanting the bairnis of Clangregour 1621 Perth Kirk S. MS. 26 Dec.
Anent certane owertouris of bringing craftismen to Perth to work in [etc.]

2. A proposal or recommendation drawn up for the consideration of a legislative body; a bill put forward to such a body with a view to its enactment as a statute or regulation.Variously const.(1) 1588 Conv. Burghs I. 291.
Power … to propone and notefie to thame the ovirtouris given in be Eustachius Roogh 1615 Highland P. III. 249.
He comperit with the lairdis of Caddell [etc.] … and gaue in sume ovirtouris in writt the substance quherof tendit to this course … quhilk wes agriet vpoun be the counsale c1630 Scot Narr. 121.
The brethren appointed to sit on the constant platt … produced their overtures, resolving in three heads Ib. 122.
A better overture … was presented 1641 Acts V. (1870) 626/2.
Agried be the haill estaittis that when an overture is proponed, everie estate haif 24 hours to advyse the same befoir he be vrged to answer therto 1644 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 21. 1645 Acts VI. . (1870) 288/2.
Committie for billes, overtores and ratificationes 1655 Mouswald Kirk S. 9 Dec.
[Newly admitted elders] to give obedience to the foirsaid articles and overtouris and … shall labour to sie same put in executione 1659 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 181. 1660 Aberd. Council Lett. IV. 29.
Forget not to advertes the agent of the burrowes anent James Skenes overtour relateing to Kermucks constabularie of Aberdein 1675 Kirkcaldy B. Rec. 5 Jan.
And appoynt the persones following to meit and proposse overtours as to both [issues](2) 1576 Bk. Univ. Kirk I. 362.
For making an overture of the policie and jurisdictioun of the Kirk 1654 Inverness Rec. II. 209.
That day ane overtur of ane agriement being proposed whidder [etc.] … [infra] Quhairvpone act 1661 Acts VII. App. 2/2.
A commission … for overtures of trade & for heiring the petitions of privat parties 1667 Edinb. Surgeons II. 10.
Doeth make this overture of the drought of ane act for setling [etc.](3) 1583 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 286.
The overtures anent the brekking doun of the cvngyie 1597 Acts IV. 156/1.
Owertour … owirtour 1599 Ib. 181/2.
With poware to the saidis commissioneris to refuis all overtouris to be presentit to thame thairanent 1616 Edinb. B. Rec. VI. 151.
Overter ? 1617 Melrose P. 622*.
Ouuertures 1619 Edinb. B. Rec. VI. 204. 1643 Acts Gen. Assembly 27 (2 Aug.).
Overtures anent witch-craft and charming &c. 1695 Ayr Presb. MS. 26 Sept.
The overture anent the citydale of Air is yet referred for a time 1696 Ib. 29 Apr.
Mrs Jon Lawrie & Patrick Crawford are appointed to draw up some overtures anent the presbytries dissolving into two meetings(4) 1618 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 153.
[To report diligence in trying the price … of bread and to send their] overtures [for reformation thereof] 1628 Ib. 281.
Ilk burgh to send with thair commissioners the best overture for preventing the hurts sustenit be [etc.] c1630 Scot Narr. 181. 1668 Dunblane Synod 61.
Overtoures 1690 Acts IX. (Suppl.) 149/2.
Ane overture read for imposing hearth money rejected(5) 1652 Moray Synod 114.
Overture against popperie(6) 1623 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 209.
This propositioun and ovirtour quhairby the woll of this kingdome is [etc.] Ib. 212.
The making of sum overtures how the necessities of the puir … may be supplied

3. Appar., an arrangement or disposal of affairs to a certain end. 1595 Misc. Spald. C. V. 372.
It will be perrillous to mak payment [etc.] … quhill sum substantious ordour and overtuir be maid be the chekker and speceall commission gevin to you to that effect