I ANSWERED THE FOLLOWING QUESTION ON QUORA.COM: WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF EMPATHY?

EMPATHY- is, basically, the Capacity of each individual to have Negative Emotional Reactions and Feelings when causing or witnessing Physical or Emotional Harm to another. (This is especially true if the individual is in some way responsible for the situation.) Empathy may also be triggered by the individual being able to alleviate the suffering, even though the root cause may lie elsewhere. 

Since Emotionally Healthy Humans tend to avoid certain situations that will cause them Emotional or Physical Harm, Individuals “EMPATHIZE” with those who are suffering from Actions, Events, or Situations that they themselves would be experiencing given different circumstances in their own lives.