ˌvizəˈtāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English visitacioun, from Middle French visitation, from Latin visitation-, visitatio, from visitatus (past participle of visitare to visit) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at visit
1.
a. : an official visit of a superior or superintending officer to an institution (as a corporation, college, church) to inspect the manner in which it is conducted and see that its laws and regulations are observed and executed
the visitation of a diocese by a bishop
b.
(1) : a personal inquiry by a visiting officer of arms in Great Britain at different times into the rights of the people within his heraldic province to bear arms
(2) : a documentary record of such an inquiry
c. : visit 5
2.
a. : a special dispensation of divine favor or wrath
my Celestial Patroness who deigns her nightly visitation unimplored — John Milton
especially : retributive calamity : divine judgment
a visitation of the plague for the people's sins
b. : an unusual event likened to a special dispensation ; especially : a severe trial : affliction
suffered one visitation after another of disease and famine
3.
a. : a visit to a place of interest (as on a sightseeing or educational tour)
b. : a visit for a charitable purpose
a visitation of the sick
c.
(1) : a pastoral call or official visit by a Protestant minister
(2) : an official visit by one or more laymen on church business
d. archaic : a social call
4. : resort to a place by animals (as birds or mammals) at an unusual time or in unusual numbers
5. : a passing influence (as of something intangible or supernatural) : visiting
gentle visitations of calm thought — P.B.Shelley
Synonyms: see trial