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.
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.
-- 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.
Hear it pronounced