from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Stanza \Stan"za\ (st[a^]n"z[.a]), n.; pl. {Stanzas} (-z[.a]z).
[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.
[1913 Webster]
Horace confines himself strictly to one sort of
verse, or stanza, in every ode. --Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Arch.) An apartment or division in a building; a room or
chamber.
[1913 Webster]