Stanza: meaning, definitions and examples

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stanza

 

[หˆstรฆnzษ™ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

poetry

A stanza is a group of lines forming the basic recurring metrical unit in a poem; a verse.

Synonyms

section, segment, verse.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
stanza

Used widely in poetry to refer to a grouped set of lines within a poem, often separated by a blank line.

  • The poet crafted a beautiful stanza that captured the essence of spring.
  • Each stanza in the poem conveyed a different emotion.
verse

Specifically used in poetry and songs to denote a single line or group of lines, often creating a sense of rhythm or rhyme.

  • She sang the first verse of the song beautifully.
  • The verse in the poem was full of vivid imagery.
section

Applies to any distinct part of a larger whole, commonly used in reports, documents, or books to indicate a subdivision.

  • The report is divided into five sections, each addressing a different topic.
  • Please read the next section of the book for tomorrow's discussion.
segment

Refers to a part of something that is naturally divided, often used in contexts like mathematics, biology, or television and radio programs.

  • The market can be divided into several segments based on consumer preferences.
  • This segment of the TV show focuses on cooking tips.

Examples of usage

  • In the sonnet, the first stanza introduces the theme.
  • Each stanza of the poem has a different rhyme scheme.
  • The poet decided to break the poem into four-line stanzas for better readability.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Italian 'stanza,' meaning 'room,' suggesting that stanzas are like rooms in the house of a poem.
  • In Middle English, the term was used to describe a verse or group of lines in poetry, originating in the 14th century.
  • Stanza has Italian roots and was influenced by the Latin verb 'stare,' which means 'to stand.'

Literature

  • Romantic poets like Wordsworth and Keats often used stanzas to create rhythmic and thematic consistency in their work.
  • Different poetry forms, like sonnets and limericks, use specific stanza structures to convey their messages.
  • Modern poems might break traditional stanza formats, leading to unique visual presentations on the page.

Music

  • Song lyrics often feature stanzas, known as verses, which advance the story or theme of the song.
  • Just like in poems, stanzas in music can set up a pattern that makes songs catchy and memorable.
  • Some artists experiment with the structure of their stanzas to create varying rhythms and effects in their music.

Education

  • Stanzas can help students understand the organization of thoughts and ideas in both poetry and prose.
  • Learning to identify stanzas aids in improving reading comprehension and analysis of poetic works.
  • Teachers often use stanzas to scaffold lessons on poem structure and allow for creative expression.

Artistic Expression

  • Stanzas visually look different on the page, allowing poets to play with the layout and create a particular aesthetic.
  • Some contemporary poets use non-traditional stanzas to convey emotional states, reflecting the themes in their writing.
  • The arrangement of stanzas can influence how a reader interprets the tone and pacing of a poem.

Translations

Translations of the word "stanza" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น estrofe

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค…เคถเฅเคฆเฅเคงเคฟ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Strophe

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ bait

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัั‚ั€ะพั„ะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ strofa

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่ฉฉ็ฏ€

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท strophe

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ estrofa

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kฤฑta

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ ˆ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ู‚ุทุน ุดุนุฑูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ strofa

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ strofa

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ฏ—่Š‚

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ kitica

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ erindi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัˆัƒะผะฐา›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒขแƒ แƒแƒคแƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ bษ™nd

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ estrofa

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,604, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.