Stanza
In poetry, a stanza (; from Italian stanza [ˈstantsa], “room”) is a grouped set of lines within a poem, usually set off from other stanzas by a blank line or indentation. Stanzas can have regular rhyme and metrical schemes, though stanzas are not strictly required to have either. There are many unique forms of stanzas. Some stanzaic forms are simple, such as four-line quatrains. Other forms are more complex, such as the Spenserian stanza. Fixed verse poems, such as sestinas, can be defined by the number and form of their stanzas. The term stanza is similar to strophe, though strophe sometimes refers to irregular set of lines, as opposed to regular, rhymed stanzas.
The stanza in poetry is analogous with the paragraph that is seen in prose; related thoughts are grouped into units. In music, groups of lines are typically referred to as verses. The stanza has also been known by terms such as batch, fit, and stave.
Verse (noun)
A poetic form with regular meter and a fixed rhyme scheme.
“Restoration literature is well known for its carefully constructed verse.”
Verse (noun)
Poetic form in general.
“The restrictions of verse have been steadily relaxed over time.”
Verse (noun)
One of several similar units of a song, consisting of several lines, generally rhymed.
“Note the shift in tone between the first verse and the second.”
Verse (noun)
A small section of the Jewish or Christian Bible.
Verse (verb)
To compose verses.
Verse (verb)
To tell in verse, or poetry.
Verse (verb)
to educate about, to teach about.
“He versed us in the finer points of category theory.”
Verse (verb)
To oppose, to be an opponent for, especially in a video game.
“Verse him, G!”
Stanza (noun)
A unit of a poem, written or printed as a paragraph; equivalent to a verse.
Stanza (noun)
An apartment or division in a building.
Stanza (noun)
An XML element which acts as basic unit of meaning in XMPP.
Stanza (noun)
A period; an interval into which a sporting event is divided.