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Meaning of SYMPATHY

Pronunciation:  'simputhee

WordNet Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
  1. [n]  an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion; "his sympathies were always with the underdog"; "I knew I could count on his understanding"
  2. [n]  sharing the feelings of others (especially feelings of sorrow or anguish)
  3. [n]  a relation of affinity or harmony between people; whatever affects one correspondingly affects the other; "the two of them were in close sympathy"
 
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 Synonyms: fellow feeling, understanding
 
 See Also: affinity, commiseration, compassion, compassionateness, compatibility, concern, disposition, empathy, feeling, inclination, kindheartedness, kinship, mutual affection, mutual understanding, pathos, pity, rapport, ruth, tendency

 

 

Webster's 1913 Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
  1. \Sym"pa*thy\, n. (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.
    
  2. \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.
             They saw, but other sight instead -- a crowd Of ugly
             serpents! Horror on them fell, And horrid sympathy.
                                                   --Milton.
    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.
    3. Kindness of feeling toward one who suffers; pity;
       commiseration; compassion.
             I value myself upon sympathy, I hate and despise
             myself for envy.                      --Kames.
    4. (Physiol.)
       (a) The reciprocal influence exercised by the various
           organs or parts of the body on one another, as
           manifested in the transmission of a disease by unknown
           means from one organ to another quite remote, or in
           the influence exerted by a diseased condition of one
           part on another part or organ, as in the vomiting
           produced by a tumor of the brain.
       (b) 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.
    5. A tendency of inanimate things to unite, or to act on each
       other; as, the sympathy between the loadstone and iron.
       [R.]
    6. Similarity of function, use office, or the like.
             The adverb has most sympathy with the verb. --Earle.
    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}.
                 Fault, Acknowledged and deplored, in Adam
                 wrought Commiseration.            --Milton.
    
 
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