nepotism
(ˈnɛpətɪz(ə)m)
[ad. F. népotisme (1653) or It. nepotismo, f. nepote nephew: see -ism.]
† 1. The advantages, or opportunities for advancement, pertaining to a pope's nephew. Obs.
| 1662 J. Bargrave Pope Alex. VII (1867) 95 The Pope's only nephew..married her, quitting his Cardinal's cap and nepotism. |
2. The practice, on the part of the Popes or other ecclesiastics (and hence of other persons), of showing special favour to nephews or other relatives in conferring offices; unfair preferment of nephews or relatives to other qualified persons.
| 1670 G. H. Hist. Cardinals ii. i. 116 Ministers that by the favour of the Nepotisme, do revive..a new Neronisme of Tyranny. 1688 Answ. Talon's Plea 10 His great aversion from all kind of Pride; the freest from Nepotism of any. 1705 Addison Italy 184 It is to this Humour of Nepotism that Rome owes its present Splendor. 1740 Richardson Pamela (1824) I. xxxii. 320 His holiness declared against nepotism. 1791 Burke Th. French Aff. Wks. 1842 I. 569/2 The spirit of nepotism prevails there nearly as strong as ever. 1836 E. Howard R. Reefer xxxviii. The nepotism of the treasurer of the navy. 1876 Freeman Norm. Conq. V. xxii. 44 This nepotism of the Bishop who made a maintenance for his kinsfolk out of the estates of the Church. |
b. Fondness for one's nephews.
| 1818 Lady Morgan Autobiog. (1859) 9, I am sure that nepotism is an organic affection in single and childless women; it is a maternal instinct gone astray. |
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Add: [2.] c. transf. Unfair preferment of, or favouritism shown to, friends, protégés, or others within one's sphere of influence.
| 1952 A. Bevan In Place of Fear v. 90 Entitlement to advancement on grounds of merit alone, free from any tinge of political nepotism, must be jealously guarded by any self-respecting profession. 1978 Economist 12 Aug. 74/3 A manager..who actually believes in management, not political nepotism upstream or down. 1985 Maclean's Mag. 23 Sept. 4/1 CPI has proven that corporate nepotism leaves the concertgoer in the last rows of the audience. |