Nĕp'o-tĭsm, n.
(110), n. [Fr. népotisme, It. & Sp. nepotismo, from Lat. nepos, nepotis, nephew.]
Sense 1. Fondness for nephews.
Sense 2. Undue attachment to relations; favoritism shown to nephews and other relations; hence, bestowal of patronage in consideration of relationship to the bestower, rather than of merit alone, 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.