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sympathy

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Sympathy means feeling sadness for other people or the act of expressing such feelings or identifying with a person or an idea. (noun)

An example of sympathy is the way you feel for your friend when her husband dies.
An example of sympathy is what you say to your friend when her husband dies.
An example of sympathy is when you say you understand where a person is coming from.

See sympathy in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. sympathies

sameness of feeling; affinity between persons or of one person for another
Now Rare agreement in qualities; harmony; accord
a mutual liking or understanding arising from sameness of feeling
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.
a feeling of approval of or agreement with an idea, cause, etc.
Physics a relation or harmony between bodies of such a nature that vibrations in one cause sympathetic vibrations in the other or others
Physiol. a relation between body parts of such a nature that a disorder, pain, etc. in one induces a similar effect in another

See sympathy in American Heritage Dictionary 4

sym·pa·thy

noun pl. sympathies sym·pa·thies

a. A relationship or an affinity between people or things in which whatever affects one correspondingly affects the other.
b. Mutual understanding or affection arising from this relationship or affinity.
a. The act or power of sharing the feelings of another.
b. A feeling or an expression of pity or sorrow for the distress of another; compassion or commiseration. Often used in the plural. See Synonyms at pity.
Harmonious agreement; accord: He is in sympathy with their beliefs.
A feeling of loyalty; allegiance. Often used in the plural: His sympathies lie with his family.
Physiology A relation between parts or organs by which a disease or disorder in one induces an effect in the other.

Origin: Latin sympathīa, from Greek sumpatheia, from sumpathēs, affected by like feelings : sun-, syn- + pathos, emotion; see k^went(h)- in Indo-European roots.