/ ˈnepətɪzəm; NAmE / noun
[ U ] ( disapproving ) giving unfair advantages to your own family if you are in a position of power, especially by giving them jobs
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from French népotisme , from Italian nepotismo , from nipote nephew (with reference to privileges bestowed on the “nephews” of popes, who were in many cases their illegitimate sons).