visitation

n. [ L. visitatio: cf. F. visitation. ] 1. The act of visiting, or the state of being visited; access for inspection or examination. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nothing but peace and gentle visitation. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 bishop. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The object of a visit. [ Obs. ] “O flowers, . . . my early visitation and my last.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Special dispensation; communication of divine favor and goodness, or, more usually, of divine wrath and vengeance; retributive calamity; retribution; judgment. [ 1913 Webster ]

What will ye do in the day of visitation? Isa. x. 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]