sympathetic
adjectivenouncommon in dialogue
- //ˌsɪm.pəˈθɛt.ɪk//
Of, related to, feeling, showing, or characterized by sympathy.
adjective
- 1
Of, related to, feeling, showing, or characterized by sympathy.
John looked very upset. I gave him a sympathetic look.
Vaublanc, in San Domingo so sympathetic to the sorrows of labour in France, had to fly from Paris in August, 1792, to escape the wrath of the French workers.
- 2
Of, related to, feeling, showing, or characterized by sympathy. Showing approval of or favor towards an idea or action.
- 3
Attracting the liking of others. (of a person)
- 4
Attracting the liking of others. (of a person) Designed in a sensitive or appropriate way.
- 5
Relating to, producing, or denoting an effect which arises through an affinity, interdependence, or mutual association.
Sympathetic magic is based on imitation or correspondence.
sympathetic ink
- 6
Relating to, producing, or denoting an effect which arises through an affinity, interdependence, or mutual association. A supernatural connection or power resulting from two items having the same form or some other correspondence. (of magic)
One of his great enthusiasms was for a "sympathetic" weapon salve, an idea originating in Paracelsus.
- 7
Relating to, producing, or denoting an effect which arises through an affinity, interdependence, or mutual association. Relating to musical tones produced by sympathetic vibration or to strings so tuned as to sound by sympathetic vibration.
- 8
Relating to or denoting the part of the autonomic nervous system consisting of nerves arising from ganglia near the middle part of the spinal cord, supplying the internal organs, blood vessels, and glands, and balancing the action of the parasympathetic nerves.
Sympathetic innervation involves epinephrine.
It was suggested that adrenaline might act at the junction of sympathetic nerves and the effector organs, and that adrenaline might be released at sympathetic nerve endings.
Etymology
Mid 17th century in the sense “relating to an affinity or paranormal influence”, from Latin sympathēticus. By surface analysis, sympathy + -etic (“pertaining to”); compare pathetic. Displaced native Old English efnþrōwiende.
noun
- 1
A sympathetic nerve.
Forms
- plural
- sympathetics
- comparative
- more sympathetic
- superlative
- most sympathetic
sympathetic · Of, related to, feeling, showing, or characterized by sympathy.
sympathize · To have, show or express sympathy; to be affected by feelings…sympathy · A feeling of pity or sorrow for the suffering or distress of…symphony · An extended piece of music of sophisticated structure,…