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n. 1. A line going diagonally across the grain of fabric: Cut the cloth on the bias. 2. a. 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. Sports a. 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. adj. Slanting or diagonal; oblique: a bias fold. tr.v. bi·ased, bi·as·ing, bi·as·es or bi·assed or bi·as·sing or bi·as·ses 1. To influence in a particular, typically unfair direction. 2. To apply a small voltage to (a grid). [French biais, slant, from Provençal, perhaps ultimately from Greek epikarsios, slanted; see sker-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] Synonyms: bias, jaundice, prejudice These verbs mean to influence in a particular, often unfavorable way. To bias is to cause to incline toward or away from something or someone: claimed that the ruling was biased against low-income workers; was biased by experience in favor of stronger regulation. To jaundice is to predispose toward negativity or skepticism: Years of scandal have jaundiced her view of politics. To prejudice is to cause to judge prematurely, without full knowledge or due consideration; it often, but not always, suggests bigotry: were prejudiced by their narrow upbringing against those of a different race; moved the trial so as to find jurors who had not been prejudiced by news coverage of the case. |
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