ETYM French affection, Latin affectio, from afficere. Related to Affect.
A positive feeling of liking; SYN. affectionateness, fondness, tenderness, heart, warmheartedness.
ETYM French sympathie, Latin sympathia, Greek; syn with + pathein to suffer. Related to Syn-, and Pathos.
1. A relation of affinity or harmony between people; whatever affects one correspondingly affects the other.
2. An inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion; SYN. understanding.
3. Sharing the feelings of others (especially feelings of sorrow or anguish); SYN. fellow feeling.