sympathy English · revision 10534

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1579|origins=frm sympathie|origins=la sympathia|origins=grc συμπάθεια}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈsɪm.pə.θi/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|sympathie]], or directly from Late Latin sympathia, community of feeling,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from Greek [[m|grc|συμπάθεια|tr=sumpátheia|t=fellow-feeling]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from sumpathḗs, having a fellow-feeling,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from sun-, together, and páthos, feeling (see [[pathos]]).^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A real or supposed affinity between things, so that what affects one affects the other: 1579 in the OED;^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) agreement in qualities, concord, also 1579, in Lyly's Euphues,^(Barnhart 1988) 1567 in the OED.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The word began in natural philosophy, for affinities such as that between body and soul,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and in physiology for organs that are affected together (1603).^(OED 1989) Conformity of feelings that makes people agreeable to each other is from 1596,^(OED 1989) and the sharing of another's feelings from 1662,^(OED 1989) narrowing to compassion for someone's sorrow by 1600.^(OED 1989) The weakened sense, a favourable attitude towards a cause, is from 1823,^(OED 1989) and in market reports prices moving ''in sympathy with'' others from 1897.^(OED 1989) ''Sympathetic'' is from the 17th century.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1567 – agreement, concord.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1579 – affinity between things.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1596 – conformity of feelings.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1600 – compassion for sorrow.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1823 – support for a cause.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The sharing of another's feelings, especially sorrow; [[pity]] or [[compassion]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An [[affinity]] or harmony between people or things, so that what affects one affects the other.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Mutual understanding or affection arising from such an affinity.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Support or approval for a cause: ''strikes in sympathy''.^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[nonsympathy]]

+ * [[sympathetic]]

+ * [[sympathize]]

+ * [[sympathy strike]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[pathos]]

+ * [[empathy]]

+ * [[antipathy]]

+ * [[apathy]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}