nepotism
- patronage bestowed or favoritism shown on the basis of family relationship, as in business and politics: She was accused of nepotism when she made her nephew an officer of the firm.
Origin of nepotism
Examples from the Web for nepotic
Historical Examples of nepotic
We may infer that this was a position by no means distasteful to that prudent minister's provident and nepotic spirit.
Shakespeare's Lost Years in London, 1586-1592Arthur Acheson
That is to say, his tendencies were ingrained, perhaps hereditary, even in cases where his selection was nepotic or accidental.
The Army Mule and Other War SketchesHenry A. Castle
nepotism
- favouritism shown to relatives or close friends by those with power or influence
Word Origin for nepotism
Word Origin and History for nepotic
nepotism
"favoritism shown to relatives, especially in appointment to high office," 1660s, from French népotisme (1650s), from Italian nepotismo, from nepote "nephew," from Latin nepotem (nominative nepos) "grandson, nephew" (see nephew). Originally, practice of granting privileges to a pope's "nephew" which was a euphemism for his natural son.
nepotism
Favoritism granted to relatives or close friends, without regard to their merit. Nepotism usually takes the form of employing relatives or appointing them to high office.