1. A line going diagonally across the grain of fabric: Cut the cloth on the bias.2a. A preference or an inclination, especially one that inhibits impartial judgment. b. An unfair act or policy stemming from prejudice. 3. A statistical sampling or testing error caused by systematically favoring some outcomes over others. 4.Sportsa. A weight or irregularity in a ball that causes it to swerve, as in lawn bowling. b. The tendency of such a ball to swerve. 5. The fixed voltage applied to an electrode.
ADJECTIVE:
Slanting or diagonal; oblique: a bias fold.
TRANSITIVE VERB:
Inflected forms: bi·ased or bi·assed, bi·as·ing or bi·as·sing, bi·as·es or bi·as·ses 1. To influence in a particular, typically unfair direction; prejudice. 2. To apply a small voltage to (a grid).
ETYMOLOGY:
French biais, slant, from Provençal, perhaps ultimately from Greek epikarsios, slanted. See sker-1 in Appendix I.
SYNONYMS:
bias, color, jaundice, prejudice, warp These verbs mean to influence unfavorably or detrimentally: His experiences biased his outlook. Your misbehavior has colored my opinion of you. Dishonest leaders have jaundiced her view of politics. Lying has prejudiced the public against them. Bitterness has warped your judgment. See also synonyms at incline, predilection.
b
s
