(a) a visit made in the morning; (b) a formal afternoon visit (cf. morning call n.) (now rare).
Roman History. A visit of ceremony paid to a Roman in his house.
a formal visit by a head of state to a foreign country, chiefly for ceremonial purposes; (also in extended use) an important or ceremonial visit.
a formal social visit paid during the morning (or sometimes in the afternoon: see sense A. 1b).