Nepotism (Ital. nepote, 'a nephew'), a word used to signify the system or custom practised by several popes subsequent to Innocent VIII. of granting high honours, dignities, offices, pensions, and the like to their family relations, generally their nephews, altogether irrespective of merit.
Nepotism
Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 7: Maltebrun to Pearson, p. 438
Source scan(s): p. 0447