Main Entry:

¹sym·pa·thet·ic

Pronunciation:

\ˌsim-pə-ˈthe-tik\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

New Latin sympatheticus, from Latin sympathia sympathy

Date:

1644

1: existing or operating through an affinity, interdependence, or mutual association2 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 nerves7: 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