[nep-uh-tiz-uh
m] 
| 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. |
| nep·o·tism (něp'ə-tĭz'əm) n. Favoritism shown or patronage granted to relatives, as in business. [French népotisme, from Italian nepotismo, from nepote, nephew, from Latin nepōs, nepōt-; see nepōt- in Indo-European roots.] nep'o·tist n., nep'o·tis'tic, nep'o·tis'ti·cal adj. |
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.