Sympathy

Sympathy
Sympathy Sym"pa*thy, n.; pl. {Sympathies}. [F. sympathie, L. sympathia, Gr. ?; sy`n with + ? suffering, passion, fr. ?, ?, to suffer. See {Syn-}, and {Pathos}.] 1. Feeling corresponding to that which another feels; the quality of being affected by the affection of another, with feelings correspondent in kind, if not in degree; fellow-feeling. [1913 Webster]

They saw, but other sight instead -- a crowd Of ugly serpents! Horror on them fell, And horrid sympathy. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

2. An agreement of affections or inclinations, or a conformity of natural temperament, which causes persons to be pleased, or in accord, with one another; as, there is perfect sympathy between them. [1913 Webster]

3. Kindness of feeling toward one who suffers; pity; commiseration; compassion. [1913 Webster]

I value myself upon sympathy, I hate and despise myself for envy. --Kames. [1913 Webster]

4. (Physiol. & Med.) (a) The reciprocal influence exercised by organs or parts on one another, as shown in the effects of a diseased condition of one part on another part or organ, as in the vomiting produced by a tumor of the brain. (b) The influence of a certain psychological state in one person in producing a like state in another.

Note: In the original 1890 work, sense (b) was described as: ``That relation which exists between different persons by which one of them produces in the others a state or condition like that of himself. This is shown in the tendency to yawn which a person often feels on seeing another yawn, or the strong inclination to become hysteric experienced by many women on seeing another person suffering with hysteria.'' [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]

5. A tendency of inanimate things to unite, or to act on each other; as, the sympathy between the loadstone and iron. [R.] [1913 Webster]

6. Similarity of function, use office, or the like. [1913 Webster]

The adverb has most sympathy with the verb. --Earle. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Pity; fellow-feeling; compassion; commiseration; tenderness; condolence; agreement.

Usage: {Sympathy}, {Commiseration}. Sympathy is literally a fellow-feeling with others in their varied conditions of joy or of grief. This term, however, is now more commonly applied to a fellow-feeling with others under affliction, and then coincides very nearly with commiseration. In this case it is commonly followed by for; as, to feel sympathy for a friend when we see him distressed. The verb sympathize is followed by with; as, to sympathize with a friend in his distresses or enjoyments. ``Every man would be a distinct species to himself, were there no sympathy among individuals.'' --South. See {Pity}. [1913 Webster]

Fault, Acknowledged and deplored, in Adam wrought Commiseration. --Milton. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • sympathy — sym‧pa‧thy [ˈsɪmpəθi] noun 1. come out in sympathy HUMAN RESOURCES if workers come out in sympathy with workers who strike (= refuse to work), they refuse to work as well: • The truck drivers are on strike, and other employees have downed tools ( …   Financial and business terms

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  • Sympathy — is a social affinity in which one person stands with another person, closely understanding his or her feelings. The word derives from the Greek συμπάθεια ( sympatheia ) [ [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi… …   Wikipedia

  • sympathy — 1570s, affinity between certain things, from M.Fr. sympathie, from L.L. sympathia community of feeling, sympathy, from Gk. sympatheia, from sympathes having a fellow feeling, affected by like feelings, from syn together + pathos feeling (see… …   Etymology dictionary

  • Sympathy — ist ein Death Metal Projekt aus Kanada. Biografie Anfang der 90er Jahre gründete Dharok die Band Sympathy mit drei Freunden in Saskatchewan, Kanada. Zwei Jahre später, nach der ersten Demo Aufnahme und ein Debüt Album, verließen die drei Freunde… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • sympathy — [n1] shared feeling accord, affinity, agreement, alliance, attraction, benignancy, close relation, commiseration, compassion, concord, congeniality, connection, correspondence, empathy, feelings, fellow feeling, harmony, heart, kindliness,… …   New thesaurus

  • sympathy — ► NOUN (pl. sympathies) 1) feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else s misfortune. 2) understanding between people; common feeling. 3) support for or approval of something. 4) (in sympathy) relating harmoniously to something else; in keeping.… …   English terms dictionary

  • sympathy — index affinity (regard), concordance, condonation, goodwill, humanity (humaneness), lenience, pity …   Law dictionary

  • sympathy — see empathy …   Modern English usage

  • sympathy — [sim′pə thē] n. pl. sympathies [L sympathia < Gr sympatheia < syn , together + pathos, feeling: see PATHOS] 1. sameness of feeling; affinity between persons or of one person for another 2. Now Rare agreement in qualities; harmony; accord 3 …   English World dictionary

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