visitation

[ viz-i-tey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of visiting.
2. a formal visit, as one permitted by a court's granting of visitation rights or by parents invited to a school to observe the work of students.
3. a visit for the purpose of making an official examination or inspection, as of a bishop to a diocese.
4. (usually initial capital letter) the visit of the Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. Luke 1:36–56.
5. (initial capital letter) a church festival, held on July 2, in commemoration of this visit.
6. the administration of comfort or aid, or of affliction or punishment:

   a visitation of the plague.

7. an affliction or punishment, as from God.
8. the appearance or coming of a supernatural influence or spirit.

Visitation

¹

/ ˌvɪzɪˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. 1. the visit made by the Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth (Luke 1:39–56)
   2. the Church festival commemorating this, held on July 2
2. a religious order of nuns, the Order of the Visitation, founded in 1610 by St Francis of Sales and dedicated to contemplation and the cultivation of humility, gentleness, and sisterly love

visitation

²

/ ˌvɪzɪˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. an official call or visit for the purpose of inspecting or examining an institution, esp such a visit made by a bishop to his diocese
2. a visiting of punishment or reward from heaven
3. any disaster or catastrophe

   a visitation of the plague

4. an appearance or arrival of a supernatural being
5. any call or visit
6. informal.
   an unduly prolonged social call

Derived Forms

• ˌvisitˈational, adjective

Other Words From

• visit·ation·al adjective
• inter·visit·ation noun
• revis·it·ation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of visitation¹

1275–1325; < Latin vīsitātiōn- (stem of vīsitātiō ), equivalent to vīsitāt ( us ) (past participle of vīsitāre; visit, -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion; replacing Middle English visitacioun < Anglo-French < Latin, as above

Example Sentences

Home visitation is a great example of building political support the right way—by doing what works.

From The Daily Beast

Those who do wish to attend, however, must be pre-approved for visitation ahead of the wedding day.

From The Daily Beast

The source of dispute: the visitation arrangements for their dog.

From The Daily Beast

In the same scene, he refuses to sign papers that would allow him visitation rights.

From The Daily Beast

He does not have custody of his child, nor did the Japanese courts grant him visitation rights.

From The Daily Beast

Visitation of the ecclesiastical cabildo, clergy of Manila, and province of Pampanga.

From Project Gutenberg

According to the greatness of their work, is their visitation also: they shall lead them to the torrent of the willows.

From Project Gutenberg

Neantmoins (par trop de bont) tant de fautes leur furent pardonnes apres visitation faite.

From Project Gutenberg

They are vain things, and a ridiculous work: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.

From Project Gutenberg

And there shall be no remains of them: for I will bring in evil upon the men of Anathoth, the year of their visitation.

From Project Gutenberg