nepotism |ˈnepəˌtizəm|
noun
the practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives or friends, esp. by giving them jobs.
DERIVATIVES
nepotist noun
nepotistic |ˌnepəˈtistik| adjective
ORIGIN mid 17th cent.: from French népotisme, from Italian nepotismo, from nipote ‘nephew’ (with reference to privileges bestowed on the “nephews” of popes, who were in many cases their illegitimate sons).
