NEPOTISM

A word invented to expre a peculiar characteristic of many high ecclesiastics in Roman Catholic countries, and more particularly of popes: a propensity, namely, to aggrandize their family by exorbitant grants and favours conferred on members of it; literally, on nephews (nepotes). Many of the highest and wealthiest families of the Roman nobility owe their elevation entirely to this species of patronage. [s. 834]