I. ˌsim-pə-ˈthe-tik 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-)lē adverb
II. noun
Date: 1808
: a sympathetic structure ; especially : sympathetic nervous system