n.
Pronunciation: ' vi-z ə t
Function: verb
Inflected Form: vis · it · ed \ ' vi-z ə -t ə d, ' viz-t ə d \ ; vis · it · ing \ ' vi-z ə -ti ŋ , ' viz-ti ŋ \
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French visiter, from Latin visitare, frequentative of visere to go to see, frequentative of vid ē re to see
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1 a archaic : COMFORT ― used of the Deity < visit us with Thy salvation ― Charles Wesley> b (1) : AFFLICT < visit ed his people with distempers ― Tobias Smollett> (2) : INFLICT , IMPOSE < visit ed his wrath upon them> c : AVENGE < visit ed the sins of the fathers upon the children> d : to present itself to or come over momentarily <was visit ed by a strange notion>
2 : to go to see in order to comfort or help
3 a : to pay a call on as an act of friendship or courtesy b : to reside with temporarily as a guest c : to go to see or stay at (a place) for a particular purpose (as business or sightseeing) d : to go or come officially to inspect or oversee <a bishop visit ing his parishes>
intransitive verb
1 : to make a visit also : to make frequent or regular visits
2 : CHAT , CONVERSE <enjoys visit ing with the neighbors>