stanza
UK: ˈstænzə | US: ˈstænzə
n. a group of lines forming a unit in a poem or song, typically separated by a blank line
stanza = stan<stand> + za<noun suffix>
- stan<stand>: From Italian stanza, meaning "a stopping place" or "room," derived from Latin stare (to stand). Reflects the idea of a "pause" or "section" in poetry.
- za<noun suffix>: Italian suffix forming nouns, often indicating a place or state.
Etymology Origin:
The word stanza entered English from Italian in the 16th century, originally referring to a "room" or "stopping place." Poets adopted it to describe a "pause" between sections of verse, mirroring how a room divides space. The Latin root stare (to stand) underscores the idea of fixed structural units in poetry.
The poem consists of four stanzas, each with a distinct rhythm.
She analyzed the first stanza to uncover its hidden meaning.
The song’s final stanza repeats the chorus for emphasis.
Each stanza in his work follows a strict rhyme scheme.
The opening stanza sets the tone for the entire epic.