Compathy

/ˈkɒmpəθi/ noun

Definition

A proposed but rarely-used term for shared feeling or sympathy; a neologism attempting to create a noun parallel to empathy and sympathy.

Etymology

Theoretically from com- 'together' + -pathy (from Greek pathos 'suffering'). This appears to be a constructed word attempting to fill a gap in English vocabulary, though it never gained acceptance.

Kelly Says

Linguists sometimes propose 'compathy' as a word we 'should' have to describe joint suffering or mutual emotional experience, but English speakers have stubbornly preferred simpler combinations like 'shared feeling'—showing that languages reject new words even when logically useful.

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