nepotism

[ nep-uh-tiz-uh m ]

/ ˈnɛp əˌtɪz əm /

noun

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.

Nearby words

nephtali, nepionic, nepit, nepman, nepos, nepotism, neptune, neptunian, neptunium, neptunium series, ner tamid

Origin of nepotism

From the Italian word nepotismo, dating back to 1655–65. See nephew, -ism

Related forms

ne·pot·ic

[nuh-pot-ik] /nəˈpɒt ɪk/, nep·o·tis·tic, nep·o·tis·ti·cal, adjectivenep·o·tist, nounan·ti·nep·o·tism, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for 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, 1586-1592|Arthur 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 Sketches|Henry A. Castle

British Dictionary definitions for nepotic

nepotism

/ (ˈnɛpəˌtɪzəm) /

noun

favouritism shown to relatives or close friends by those with power or influence

Derived Forms

nepotic (nɪˈpɒtɪk) or nepotistic, adjectivenepotist, noun

Word Origin for nepotism

C17: from Italian nepotismo, from nepote nephew, from the former papal practice of granting special favours to nephews or other relatives

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Culture definitions for nepotic

nepotism

[ (nep-uh-tiz-uhm) ]

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.