What is "sympathies"

Sympathy \Sym"pa*thy\, n.; pl. Sympathies. [F. sympathie, L. sympathia, Gr. ?; sy`n with + ? suffering, passion, fr. ?, ?, to suffer. See Syn-, and Pathos.]

1. Feeling corresponding to that which another feels; the quality of being affected by the affection of another, with feelings correspondent in kind, if not in degree; fellow-feeling.

   They saw, but other sight instead -- a crowd Of ugly serpents! Horror on them fell, And horrid sympathy.
   --Milton.

2. An agreement of affections or inclinations, or a conformity of natural temperament, which causes persons to be pleased, or in accord, with one another; as, there is perfect sympathy between them.

3. Kindness of feeling toward one who suffers; pity; commiseration; compassion.

   I value myself upon sympathy, I hate and despise myself for envy.
   --Kames.

4. (Physiol. & Med.)

   1. The reciprocal influence exercised by organs or parts on one another, as shown in the effects of a diseased condition of one part on another part or organ, as in the vomiting produced by a tumor of the brain.

   2. The influence of a certain psychological state in one person in producing a like state in another.

      Note: In the original 1890 work, sense (b) was described as: ``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.

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.

   Usage: 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.

n. (plural of sympathy English)