English dictionary · noun

empathy

the ability to understand and share the feelings of another

Meaning and definitions

1. the ability to understand and share the feelings of another

Connected roots

• en-

  in, within

• path-

  feeling, suffering, disease

Explore the word family

These words share a recorded root connection. A shared root is a learning clue; it does not establish every step in a word’s history.

• energy

  the capacity for vigorous activity; power derived from resources

• emphasis

  special importance or prominence given to something

• pathetic

  Arousing pity, sympathy, or compassion; exciting pathos.

• sympathy

  feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune

• pathology

  the science of the causes and effects of diseases

• psychopath

  a person with a chronic mental disorder marked by antisocial behavior

• apathy

  lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern

• pathogen

  An agent that can cause disease, especially an infectious microorganism, such as a bacterium, virus, protozoon or fungus.

• telepathy

  The capability to communicate directly by psychic means; the sympathetic affection of one mind by the thoughts, feelings, or emotions of another at a distance, without communication through the ordinary channels of sensation.

• pathogenesis

  The origin and development of a disease.

• antipathy

  a deep-seated feeling of dislike

• encephalopathy

  Any of various conditions affecting the brain.

• psychopathy

  A personality disorder characterized by impaired empathy and remorse, and bold, disinhibited, and egocentric traits masked by superficial charm and the outward presence of apparent normality. Violent and criminal offenses may be indicative of this disorder.

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