/buy"euhs/ , n., adj., adv., v., biased, biasing or ( esp. Brit. ) biassed, biassing .
n.
1. an oblique or diagonal line of direction, esp. across a woven fabric.
2. a particular tendency or inclination, esp. one that prevents unprejudiced consideration of a question; prejudice.
3. Statistics. a systematic as opposed to a random distortion of a statistic as a result of sampling procedure.
4. Lawn Bowling.
a. a slight bulge or greater weight on one side of the ball or bowl.
b. the curved course made by such a ball when rolled.
5. Electronics. the application of a steady voltage or current to an active device, as a diode or transistor, to produce a desired mode of operation.
6. a high-frequency alternating current applied to the recording head of a tape recorder during recording in order to reduce distortion.
7. on the bias ,
a. in the diagonal direction of the cloth.
b. out of line; slanting.
adj.
8. cut, set, folded, etc., diagonally: This material requires a bias cut.
adv.
9. in a diagonal manner; obliquely; slantingly: to cut material bias.
v.t.
10. to cause partiality or favoritism in (a person); influence, esp. unfairly: a tearful plea designed to bias the jury.
11. Electronics. to apply a steady voltage or current to (the input of an active device).
[ 1520-30; biais oblique e ) bigassius epikársios oblique, equiv. to epi- EPI- + -karsios oblique ]
Syn. 2. predisposition, preconception, predilection, partiality, proclivity; bent, leaning. BIAS, PREJUDICE mean a strong inclination of the mind or a preconceived opinion about something or someone. A BIAS may be favorable or unfavorable: bias in favor of or against an idea. PREJUDICE implies a preformed judgment even more unreasoning than BIAS, and usually implies an unfavorable opinion: prejudice against a race. 10. predispose, bend, incline, dispose.
Ant. 2. impartiality.