• Nepotism

    Pronunciation

    • RP IPA: /ˈnÉ›p.É™.tɪ.zÉ™m/

    Origin

    From Italian nepotismo, from Latin nepōs ("nephew"), a reference to the practice of popes appointing relatives (most often nephews) as cardinals during the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

    Full definition of nepotism

    Noun

    nepotism

    (countable and uncountable; plural nepotisms)
    1. The favoring of relatives or personal friends because of their relationship rather than because of their abilities.
      Nepotism can get you very far in the world if you've got the right connections.
      • 2006, September 27, China airbrushes Chen, Mr Chen - a member of the national politburo as well as the Shanghai boss - is accused of nepotism and corruption on a grand scale: protecting political allies, granting preferment to his family and looting Shanghai's pension fund.

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