vis|it

vis|it «VIHZ iht», verb, noun.

–v.t.

1. to go to see; come to see: »

to visit a church or museum. Would you like to visit New Orleans?

2. to make a call on or stay with for social or other reasons; be a guest of: »

to visit the sick. I shall visit my aunt next week.

3. to go or come to see, to inspect, or to examine officially or as a professional duty: »

The doctor visits his patients when they are unable to come to his office. The inspector visits the factory once a month.

4. to go to; come to; come upon; afflict: »

The poor old man was visited by many troubles.

5. to send upon; inflict: »

to visit one's anger on someone.

6. to punish; avenge: »

So the sins of my mother should be visited upon me (Shakespeare).

–v.i.

1. to pay a call; make a stay; be a guest: »

to visit in the country.

2. Informal. to talk or chat.

3. to inflict punishment or take vengeance.

–n.

1. the act of going or coming to a place, as for sightseeing or pleasure: »

a visit to a foreign country.

2. the act of going or coming to a person or place for the purpose of inspection, examination, or treatment: »

a visit to the dentist.

3. a stay as a guest: »

to make or return a visit. My aunt paid us a visit last week.

4. Informal. an informal talk; chat.

5. Maritime Law. the act of a naval officer boarding a vessel belonging to a neutral state to ascertain its nationality and cargo.

╂[< Latin vīsitāre come to inspect (frequentative) < vīsere look at well (intensive) < vidēre to see]