The act of visiting, or
the state of being visited; access for inspection or examination.
Specifically: The act of a superior or
superintending officer who, in the discharge of his office, visits a
corporation, college, etc., to examine into the manner in which it is
conducted, and see that its laws and regulations are duly observed and
executed; as, the visitation of a diocese by a bishop.
The object of a visit.
The act of a naval
commander who visits, or enters on board, a vessel belonging to another
nation, for the purpose of ascertaining her character and object, but
without claiming or exercising a right of searching the vessel. It is,
however, usually coupled with the right of search (see under
Search), visitation being used for the purpose of search.
Special dispensation; communication of divine
favor and goodness, or, more usually, of divine wrath and vengeance;
retributive calamity; retribution; judgment.
A festival in honor of the visit
of the Virgin Mary to Elisabeth, mother of John the Baptist, celebrated on
the second of July.
In celebration of Noah Webster's Birthday (October 16, 2009), we have prepared an updated website. 
