bias
bi·as / ˈbīəs/ • n. 1. prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair: there was evidence of bias against foreign applicants [in sing.] a systematic bias in favor of the powerful. ∎ [in sing.] a concentration on or interest in one particular area or subject: a discernible bias toward philosophy. ∎ Statistics a systematic distortion of a statistical result due to a factor not allowed for in its derivation. 2. an edge cut obliquely across the grain of a fabric. 3. in some sports, such as lawn bowling, the irregular shape given to a ball. ∎ the oblique course that such a shape causes a ball to run. 4. Electr. a steady voltage, magnetic field, or other factor applied to an electronic system or device to cause it to operate over a predetermined range. • v. (bi·ased , bi·as·ing or bi·assed,bi·as·sing) 1. [tr.] (usu. be biased) show prejudice for or against (someone or something) unfairly: readers said the paper was biased toward the conservatives [as adj.] (biased) a biased view of the world. ∎ influence unfairly to invoke favoritism: her well-rehearsed sob story failed to bias the jury. 2. give a bias to: bias the ball. PHRASES: cut on the bias (of a fabric or garment) cut obliquely or diagonally across the grain.