I. ˈbī-əs noun
Etymology: Middle French biais
Date: 1530
1. : a line diagonal to the grain of a fabric ; especially : a line at a 45 degree angle to the selvage often utilized in the cutting of garments for smoother fit
2.
a. : a peculiarity in the shape of a bowl that causes it to swerve when rolled on the green in lawn bowling
b. : the tendency of a bowl to swerve ; also : the impulse causing this tendency
c. : the swerve of the bowl
3.
a. : bent , tendency
b. : an inclination of temperament or outlook ; especially : a personal and sometimes unreasoned judgment : prejudice
c. : an instance of such prejudice
d.
(1) : deviation of the expected value of a statistical estimate from the quantity it estimates
(2) : systematic error introduced into sampling or testing by selecting or encouraging one outcome or answer over others
4.
a. : a voltage applied to a device (as a transistor control electrode) to establish a reference level for operation
b. : a high-frequency voltage combined with an audio signal to reduce distortion in tape recording
Synonyms: see predilection
•
- on the bias
II. adjective
Date: 1551
: diagonal , slanting — used chiefly of fabrics and their cut
• bi·as·ness noun
III. adverb
Date: 1575
1. : diagonally
cut cloth bias
2. obsolete : awry
IV. transitive verb
( bi·ased or bi·assed ; bi·as·ing or bi·as·sing )
Date: circa 1628
1. : to give a settled and often prejudiced outlook to
his background bias es him against foreigners
2. : to apply a slight negative or positive voltage to (as a transistor)
Synonyms: see incline