n.
 (pl. sympathies)
   - feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune. 
▸
(one's sympathies)
 condolences.
 - understanding between people; common feeling. 
▸a favourable attitude.
 ▸
(in sympathy)
 relating harmoniously to something else; in keeping.
 - the state or fact of responding in a way corresponding to an action elsewhere.
 
 
  Usage
  On the difference between sympathy and empathy, see usage at empathy.
  Etymology
  C16: via L. from Gk sumpatheia, from sumpathēs, from sun- ‘with’ + pathos ‘feeling’.