Bias /(bī"as)/

Bi·as

Bias

n.

pl. Biases ((-ĕz))

  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.
  2. A leaning 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.
    Morality influences men's lives, and gives a bias to all their actions.
  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.

Bias

a.
  1. Inclined to one side; swelled on one side. [Obs.]
  2. Cut slanting or diagonally, as cloth.

Bias

adv.
  1. In a slanting manner; crosswise; obliquely; diagonally; as, to cut cloth bias.

Bias

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Biased; p. pr. & vb. n. Biasing

  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.