n.1 an official visit of inspection, esp. a bishop's examination of a church in his diocese.
2 trouble or difficulty regarded as a divine punishment.
3 (Visitation) a the visit of the Virgin Mary to Elizabeth related in Luke 1:39-56. b the festival commemorating this on 2 July.
4 colloq. an unduly protracted visit or social call.
5 the boarding of a vessel belonging to another State to learn its character and purpose.
Phrases and idioms:
right of visitation the right to conduct a visitation of a vessel, not including the right of search.
Etymology: ME f. OF visitation or LL visitatio (as VISIT)