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 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