strophe

stro·phe

1. a. The first of a pair of stanzas of alternating form on which the structure of a given poem is based.
   b. A stanza containing irregular lines.
2. The first division of the triad constituting a section of a Pindaric ode.
3. a. The first movement of the chorus in classical Greek drama while turning from one side of the orchestra to the other.
   b. The part of a choral ode sung while this movement is executed.

Origin: Greek strophē, a turning, stanza, from strephein, to turn; see streb(h)- in Indo-European roots.