Collins English-English Dictionary

sympathy ['sɪmpəθɪ]

1. 1. n the sharing of another's emotions, esp of sorrow or anguish; pity; compassion

2. 2. n an affinity or harmony, usually of feelings or interests, between persons or things

   to be in sympathy with someone

3. 3. n mutual affection or understanding arising from such a relationship; congeniality

4. 4. n the condition of a physical system or body when its behaviour is similar or corresponds to that of a different system that influences it, such as the vibration of sympathetic strings

5. 5. n [sometimes plural] a feeling of loyalty, support, or accord, as for an idea, cause, etc

6. 6. n [physiol] the mutual relationship between two organs or parts whereby a change in one has an effect on the other

7. 7. n [Etymology] C16: from Latin sympathia, from Greek sumpatheia, from sumpathes, from syn- + pathos suffering