bias Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation
    preconception; prejudice.
  2. noun a line or cut across a fabric that is not at right angles to a side of the fabric
    diagonal.
  3. verb influence in an unfair way
    • you are biasing my choice by telling me yours
  4. verb cause to be biased
    predetermine.
  5. adjective satellite slanting diagonally across the grain of a fabric
    • a bias fold

WordNet

Bi"as noun
Etymology
F. biasis, perh. fr. LL. bifax two-faced; L. bis + facies face. See Bi-, and cf. Face.
Wordforms
plural Biases
Definitions
  1. A weight on the side of the ball used in the game of bowls, or a tendency imparted to the ball, which turns it from a straight line.
    Being ignorant that there is a concealed bias within the spheroid, which will . . . swerve away. Sir W. Scott.
  2. A learning of the mind; propensity or prepossession toward an object or view, not leaving the mind indifferent; bent inclination.
    Strong love is a bias upon the thoughts. South.
    Morality influences men's lives, and gives a bias to all their actions. Locke.
  3. A wedge-shaped piece of cloth taken out of a garment (as the waist of a dress) to diminish its circumference.
  4. A slant; a diagonal; as, to cut cloth on the bias. Syn. -- Prepossession; prejudice; partiality; inclination. See Bent.
Bi"as adjective
Definitions
  1. Inclined to one side; swelled on one side. Obs. Shak.
  2. Cut slanting or diagonally, as cloth.
Bi"as adverb
Definitions
  1. In a slanting manner; crosswise; obliquely; diagonally; as, to cut cloth bias.
Bi"as transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Biased present participle & verbal noun Biasing
Definitions
  1. To incline to one side; to give a particular direction to; to influence; to prejudice; to prepossess.
    Me it had not biased in the one direction, nor should it have biased any just critic in the counter direction. De. Quincey.

Webster 1913