(1) A group of lines in a file that together have a common function or define a part of the system. Stanzas are usually separated by blank lines or colons, and each stanza has a name.
(2) A section of a software package that defines either a specific action to be performed on that the software package or a set of conditions under which actions are to be performed on the software package. The complete software package is a stanza that contains a hierarchy of many different stanzas. See also file package.
(3) A grouping of options in a configuration file to control various aspects of compilation by default.