visitation

Meanings

1. The act of visiting, or an instance of being visited.
2. An official visit to inspect or examine something.
3. An encounter with aliens or supernatural beings such as ghosts.
4. An affliction or disaster attributed to destiny, or to God.
5. The right of a separated or divorced parent to visit a child; access.
6. A punishment or blessing ordained by God.
7. An unusual and extensive irruption of a species of animals into another region.

1. The visit of the Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth; the commemoration of this on May 30th in Eastern Christianity or May 31st in Western Christianity.

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman visitacioun, from Old French visitacion, from Latin vīsitātiō. By surface analysis, visit + -ation.