SYMPATHY • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Sympathy

Sympathy n. (pl. sympathies)

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."

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.

Kindness of feeling toward one who suffers; pity; commiseration; compassion. "I value myself upon sympathy, I hate and despise myself for envy."

(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."

A tendency of inanimate things to unite, or to act on each other; as, the sympathy between the loadstone and iron. (R.)

Similarity of function, use office, or the like. "The adverb has most sympathy with the verb."

Synonyms: Pity; fellow-feeling; compassion; commiseration; tenderness; condolence; agreement. 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." See Pity. "Fault, Acknowledged and deplored, in Adam wrought Commiseration."