Final answer:
Empathy refers to the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It involves putting oneself in someone else's shoes and feeling compassion for their experiences and emotions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word 'empathy' refers to the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It involves being able to put oneself in someone else's shoes and feel compassion for their experiences and emotions. Empathy is an important skill for social problem solving and conflict avoidance, as it allows individuals to take the perspective of others.