noun pl. sympathies -·thies

1. sameness of feeling; affinity between persons or of one person for another
2. Now Rare agreement in qualities; harmony; accord
3. a mutual liking or understanding arising from sameness of feeling
4. 1. an entering into, or the ability to enter into, another person's mental state, feelings, emotions, etc.
   2. pity or compassion felt for another's trouble, suffering, etc.
5. a feeling of approval of or agreement with an idea, cause, etc.
6. Physics a relation or harmony between bodies of such a nature that vibrations in one cause sympathetic vibrations in the other or others
7. Physiol. a relation between body parts of such a nature that a disorder, pain, etc. in one induces a similar effect in another

Etymology: L sympathia < Gr sympatheia < syn-, together + pathos, feeling: see pathos