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’.
