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sympathetic

 - 5 dictionary results

sym⋅pa⋅thet⋅ic

  [sim-puh-thet-ik]
Use sympathetic in a Sentence
–adjective
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. Anatomy, Physiology.
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. Obsolete. 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.
Origin:
1635–45; < NL sympathēticus < Gk sympathētikós. See sym-, pathetic

Related forms:
sym⋅pa⋅thet⋅i⋅cal⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. commiserating, kind, tender, affectionate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To sympathetic
sym·pa·thet·ic   (sĭm'pə-thět'ĭk)   
adj.  

  1. Of, expressing, feeling, or resulting from sympathy: a sympathetic glance.

  2. Favorably inclined: not at all sympathetic to her proposal.

  3. Agreeably suited to one's disposition or mood; congenial: sympathetic surroundings.

  4. Of, relating to, or acting on the sympathetic nervous system: a sympathetic neuron; sympathetic stimulation.

    1. Relating to or being vibrations, especially musical tones, produced in one body by energy from a nearby vibrating body and having the same frequency as the vibration of the nearby body.

    2. Emitting such vibrations: sympathetic strings.


[Greek sumpathētikos, from sumpatheia, sympathy; see sympathy.]
sym'pa·thet'i·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 1sym·pa·thet·ic
Pronunciation: "sim-p&-'thet-ik
Function: adjective
1 : of or relating to thesympathetic nervous system
2 : mediated by or acting on the sympathetic nerves —sym·pa·thet·i·cal·ly /-i-k(&-)lE/ adverb

Main Entry: 2sympathetic
Function: noun
: a sympathetic structure; especially : SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

sympathetic sym·pa·thet·ic (sĭm'pə-thět'ĭk)
adj.
Of, relating to, or acting on the sympathetic nervous system.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
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