empathize
UK[ˈempəθaɪz]US[ˈempəθaɪz]
v
to understand and share the feelings of another person.
v
to experience empathy.
Morpheme Breakdown
em
path
ize
em
in
path
feeling
ize
verb suffix
Etymology
the word 'empathize' is a modern english formation built upon the greek-derived noun 'empathy'. it directly combines the greek root 'pathos', signifying deep feeling or suffering, with the assimilated prefix 'em-', derived from 'en-' meaning 'in'. the suffix '-ize' transforms the concept into a verb. the literal construction, 'to put oneself into feeling', evolved from the ancient greek philosophical and aesthetic concept of 'pathos'—a term for an experience that is undergone or felt. through psychological discourse, this concrete notion of shared feeling was refined into the modern abstract capacity for emotional and cognitive understanding of another's internal state.
Analysis
Structure: em (in) + path (feeling) + ize (verb suffix)
em- (from greek via latin 'in-', a prefix meaning 'in' or 'within'); -path- (from greek 'pathos', meaning 'feeling', 'suffering', or 'experience'); -ize (from greek '-izein' via latin '-izare', a verb-forming suffix meaning 'to make' or 'to become').
Examples
it's difficult to empathize with a character whose motives are never explained.
good therapists are trained to listen and empathize without immediately offering advice.
the novel allows readers to empathize with the struggles of immigrants.