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.

Origin of nepotism

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

OTHER WORDS FROM nepotism

ne·pot·ic [nuh-pot-ik] /nəˈpɒt ɪk/, nep·o·tis·tic, nep·o·tis·ti·cal, adjective nep·o·tist, noun an·ti·nep·o·tism, noun

Words nearby nepotism

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

British Dictionary definitions for anti-nepotism

nepotism
/ (ˈnɛpəˌtɪzəm) /

noun

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

Derived forms of nepotism

nepotic (nɪˈpɒtɪk) or nepotistic, adjective nepotist, 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

Cultural definitions for anti-nepotism

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.