adj.
Pronunciation: ˌ sim-p ə - ' the-tik
Function: adjective
Etymology: New Latin sympatheticus, from Latin sympathia sympathy
Date: 1644
1 : existing or operating through an affinity, interdependence, or mutual association
2 a : appropriate to one's mood, inclinations, or disposition b : marked by kindly or pleased appreciation <the biographer's approach was sympathetic >
3 : given to, marked by, or arising from sympathy, compassion, friendliness, and sensitivity to others' emotions <a sympathetic gesture>
4 : favorably inclined : APPROVING <not sympathetic to the idea>
5 a : showing empathy b : arousing sympathy or compassion <a sympathetic role in the play>
6 a : of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system b : mediated by or acting on the sympathetic nerves
7 : relating to musical tones produced by sympathetic vibration or to strings so tuned as to sound by sympathetic vibration
– sym · pa · thet · i · cal · ly \ -ti-k( ə -)l ē \ adverb