4. (Physiol.) (a) The reciprocal influence exercised by the various organs or parts of the body on one another, as manifested in the transmission of a disease by unknown means from one organ to another quite remote, or in the influence exerted by a diseased condition of one part on another part or organ, as in the vomiting produced by a tumor of the brain. (b) That relation which exists between different persons by which one of them produces in the others a state or condition like that of himself. This is shown in the tendency to yawn which a person often feels on seeing another yawn, or the strong inclination to become hysteric experienced by many women on seeing another person suffering with hysteria.
5. A tendency of inanimate things to unite, or to act on each other; as, the sympathy between the loadstone and iron. [R.]
6. Similarity of function, use office, or the like. The adverb has most sympathy with the verb. Earle.
Syn. — Pity; fellow-feeling; compassion; commiseration; tenderness; condolence; agreement. — Sympathy, Commiseration. Sympathy is literally a fellow-feeling with others in their varied conditions of joy or of grief. This term, however, is now more commonly applied to a fellow-feeling with others under affliction, and then coincides very nearly with commiseration. In this case it is commonly followed by for; as, to feel sympathy for a friend when we see him distressed. The verb sympathize is followed by with; as, to sympathize with a friend in his distresses or enjoyments. "Every man would be a distinct species to himself, were there no sympathy among individuals." South. See Pity. Fault, Acknowledged and deplored, in Adam wrought Commiseration. Milton.
SYMPETALOUS
Sym*pet"al*ous, a. Etym: [Pref. sym- + petal.] (Bot.)
Defn: Having the petals united; gamopetalous.
SYMPHONIC
Sym*phon"ic, a.
1. Symphonious.
2. (Mus.)
Defn: Relating to, or in the manner of, symphony; as, the symphonic form or style of composition.