1. A relationship or affinity between persons or things in which whatever affects one correspondingly affects the other. 2. The act of or capacity for sharing or understanding the feelings of another person. 3. Agreement with or support for an opinion or position. 4. A feeling or expression of pity or of sorrow for the distress of another. 5. An emotion that an individual uses when immobilized to enlist help from others. 6. An emotional state similar to grief or apathy.