Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Visitation
Visˊit-a′tion
,Noun.
[L.
visitatio
: cf. F. visitation
.] 1.
The act of visiting, or the state of being visited; access for inspection or examination.
Nothing but peace and gentle
visitation
. Shakespeare
2.
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 bishop3.
The object of a visit.
[Obs.]
“O flowers, . . . my early visitation and my last.” Milton.
4.
(Internat. Law)
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. 5.
Special dispensation; communication of divine favor and goodness, or, more usually, of divine wrath and vengeance; retributive calamity; retribution; judgment.
What will ye do in the day of
visitation
? Isa. x. 3.
6.
(Eccl.)
A festival in honor of the visit of the Virgin Mary to Elisabeth, mother of John the Baptist, celebrated on the second of July.
The Order of the Visitation of Our Lady
(R. C. Ch.)
, a religious community of nuns, founded at Annecy, in Savoy, in 1610, and in 1808 established in the United States. In America these nuns are devoted to the education of girls.
Webster 1828 Edition
Visitation
VISITA'TION
,Noun.
1.
The act of visiting.Nothing but peace and gentle visitation.
2.
Object of visit.My early visitation and my last. [Unusual.]
3.
In law, the act of a superior or superintending officer, who visits a corporation, college, church or other house, to examine into the manner in which it is conducted, and see that its laws and regulations are duly observed and executed. In England, the visitation of the diocese belongs to the bishop; parochial visitation belongs peculiarly to the archdeacons.4.
In Scripture, and in a religious sense, the sending of afflictions and distresses on men to punish them for their sins, or to prove them. Hence afflictions, calamities and judgments are called visitations.What will ye do in the day of visitation? Is. 10.
5.
Communication of divine love; exhibition of divine goodness and mercy.