Using the Google Book Ngram Viewer, we find examples of the phrase ‘deepest sympathy’ from as early as 1833. The word ‘deep’ comes from the Old English word deop, meaning “having considerable extension downward.” The figurative meaning of the word, as in “mysterious, awful, profound solemn, serious,” is also quite old. It was used in relation to medicines that would be applied to a blood-stained cloth (from the wound itself) in order to heal wounds.Īround the 1590s, the phrase started being used with the meaning of “conformity of feelings.” The implication of “compassion, fellow feeling” is first found around the year 1600. In the past, there was almost a magical notion associated with the word.
The history of the word ‘sympathy’ in English is actually quite fascinating. This Latin word comes from the Greek word sympatheia, which means “community of feeling, fellow-feeling.” The root of this word comes from syn-, meaning “together,” and pathos, meaning “feeling.” It comes from the 16th-century French word sympathie and the Late Latin word sympathia, which means “community of feeling, sympathy.” The word ‘sympathy’ dates back to the 1570s with the meaning of “affinity between certain things. Though this is a fairly formal way of telling someone that you are sorry for their loss, it is widely used and not in any way out of place as a way to share that your thoughts are with a person that has experienced a loss of some kind.įor example, if your friend tells you that someone close to them has passed away, you might say, “my ‘deepest sympathies’– I’m so sorry for your loss.” Where Does ‘Deepest Sympathy’ Come From? ‘Deepest sympathy’ is one of the common phrases used to express one’s condolences, specifically when someone has died.
The phrase ‘deepest sympathy’ means “sincere, heartfelt condolences.” You will also sometimes see or hear people express their ‘deepest sympathies,’ with ‘sympathy’ appearing in its plural form. Other Ways to Say ‘Deepest Sympathy’ What Does ‘Deepest Sympathy’ Mean?
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