Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Nepotism"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Nepotism \Nep"o*tism\ (?; 277), n. [L. nepus, nepotus, nephew:
cf. F. n['e]potisme. See {Nephew}.]
Undue attachment to relations; favoritism shown to members of
one's family; bestowal of patronage in consideration of
relationship, rather than of merit or of legal claim.
From nepotism Alexander V. was safe; for he was without
kindred or relatives. But there was another perhaps
more fatal nepotism, which turned the tide of
popularity against him -- the nepotism of his order.
--Milman.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
nepotism
n : favoritism shown to relatives or close friends by those in
power (as by giving them jobs)
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