sympathetic

sympathetic
/sim'peuh thet"ik/, adj.
1. characterized by, proceeding from, exhibiting, or feeling sympathy; sympathizing; compassionate: a sympathetic listener.
2. acting or affected by, of the nature of, or pertaining to a special affinity or mutual relationship; congenial: With their many similar tastes, he found her a most sympathetic companion.
3. looking upon with favor (often fol. by to or toward): She is sympathetic to the project.
4. Anat., Physiol.
a. pertaining to that part of the autonomic nervous system consisting of nerves that arise from the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord, and functioning in opposition to the parasympathetic system, as in stimulating heartbeat, dilating the pupil of the eye, etc.
b. Obs. pertaining to the autonomic nervous system in its entirety.
5. Physics. noting or pertaining to vibrations, sounds, etc., produced by a body as the direct result of similar vibrations in a different body.
[1635-45; < NL sympatheticus < Gk sympathetikós. See SYM-, PATHETIC]
Syn. 1. commiserating, kind, tender, affectionate.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Sympathetic — Sym pa*thet ic, a. [See {Sympathy}, and cf. {Pathetic}.] 1. Inclined to sympathy; sympathizing. [1913 Webster] Far wiser he, whose sympathetic mind Exults in all the good of all mankind. Goldsmith. [1913 Webster] 2. Produced by, or expressive of …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sympathetic — in the meaning ‘eliciting sympathy’ rather than ‘feeling sympathy’, dates from the beginning of the 20c. Despite Fowler s reservations (he wrote in 1926 when it was still a new meaning), it has become rapidly established in standard English: •… …   Modern English usage

  • sympathetic — [adj1] concerned, feeling affectionate, all heart*, appreciating, benign, benignant, caring, commiserating, compassionate, comprehending, condoling, considerate, having heart in right place*, interested, kind, kindhearted, kindly, loving, pitying …   New thesaurus

  • sympathetic — [sim΄pə thet′ik] adj. [ModL sympatheticus < Gr sympatheia,SYMPATHY, infl. by Gr pathētikos,PATHETIC] 1. of, expressing, resulting from, feeling, or showing sympathy; sympathizing 2. in agreement with one s tastes, mood, feelings, disposition,… …   English World dictionary

  • sympathetic — index charitable (lenient), concerted, concordant, consensual, lenient, open (persuasible), pati …   Law dictionary

  • sympathetic — 1640s, pertaining to sympathy, from Mod.L. sympatheticus, from Gk. sympathetikos, from sympathein, from sympathes having a fellow feeling, affected by like feelings (see SYMPATHY (Cf. sympathy)). Meaning having fellow feeling is recorded from… …   Etymology dictionary

  • sympathetic — 1 *consonant, congenial, congruous, compatible, consistent Analogous words: agreeing, harmonizing or harmonious, accordant, correspondent (see corresponding verbs at AGREE) 2 *tender, compassionate, warm, warmhearted, responsive Analogous words:… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • sympathetic — ► ADJECTIVE 1) feeling, showing, or expressing sympathy. 2) showing approval of an idea or action. 3) pleasing, likeable, or sensitively designed. 4) Physiology referring to the part of the autonomic nervous system supplying the internal organs,… …   English terms dictionary

  • sympathetic — adj. VERBS ▪ appear, be, feel, look, seem, sound ▪ become ▪ find sb ▪ …   Collocations dictionary

  • sympathetic — I. 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 …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • sympathetic — sym|pa|thet|ic [ˌsımpəˈθetık] adj 1.) caring and feeling sorry about someone s problems ▪ a sympathetic friend ▪ a sympathetic attitude sympathetic to/towards ▪ I m sympathetic to parents who are worried about what their children see on… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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