Stanza \Stan"za\, n.; pl. Stanzas. [It. stanza a room, habitation, a stanza, i. e., a stop, fr. L. stans, p. pr. of stare to stand. See Stand, and cf. Estancia, Stance, Stanchion.]

1. A number of lines or verses forming a division of a song or poem, and agreeing in meter, rhyme, number of lines, etc., with other divisions; a part of a poem, ordinarily containing every variation of measure in that poem; a combination or arrangement of lines usually recurring; whether like or unlike, in measure.

Horace confines himself strictly to one sort of verse, or stanza, in every ode. --Dryden.

2. (Arch.) An apartment or division in a building; a room or chamber.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)