sympathy

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈsɪm.pə.θi/^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Middle French sympathie, or directly from Late Latin sympathia, community of feeling,^[2][3] from Greek συμπάθεια (sumpátheia, “fellow-feeling”),^[2][3][4] from συμπαθής (sumpathḗs), having a fellow-feeling,^[2][3] from sun-, together, and πάθος (páthos), feeling (see pathos).^[4][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

A real or supposed affinity between things, so that what affects one affects the other: 1579 in the OED;^[6][3] agreement in qualities, concord, also 1579, in Lyly's Euphues,^[2] 1567 in the OED.^[6]

Semantic evolution

The word began in natural philosophy, for affinities such as that between body and soul,^[3][6] and in physiology for organs that are affected together (1603).^[6] Conformity of feelings that makes people agreeable to each other is from 1596,^[6] and the sharing of another's feelings from 1662,^[6] narrowing to compassion for someone's sorrow by 1600.^[6] The weakened sense, a favourable attitude towards a cause, is from 1823,^[6] and in market reports prices moving in sympathy with others from 1897.^[6] Sympathetic is from the 17th century.^[4]

Timeline

• 1567 – agreement, concord.^[6]
• 1579 – affinity between things.^[6][2]
• 1596 – conformity of feelings.^[6]
• 1600 – compassion for sorrow.^[6]
• 1823 – support for a cause.^[6]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. The sharing of another's feelings, especially sorrow; pity or compassion.
2. An affinity or harmony between people or things, so that what affects one affects the other.
3. Mutual understanding or affection arising from such an affinity.
4. Support or approval for a cause: strikes in sympathy.

Word family

• nonsympathy
• sympathetic
• sympathize
• sympathy strike

Related words

• pathos
• empathy
• antipathy
• apathy

References

1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
2. ^ a b c d e Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
3. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b c Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press