Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Nepotism

Nepotism (?; 277) , noun

[Latin nepus, nepotus, nephew: compare French népotisme. 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