Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.