bias

Noun · Verb · Adjective
Synonyms: prejudicepreconceptiondiagonalpredetermine

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

  1. a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situationSynonyms: prejudicepreconception
  2. a line or cut across a fabric that is not at right angles to a side of the fabricSynonyms: diagonal

Verb (2)

  1. influence in an unfair way“you are biasing my choice by telling me yours”
  2. cause to be biasedSynonyms: predetermine

Adjective (1)

  1. slanting diagonally across the grain of a fabric“a bias fold”
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Bias \Bi"as\, a.

1.Inclined to one side; swelled on one side. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2.Cut slanting or diagonally, as cloth. [1913 Webster]

Bias \Bi"as\, adv. In a slanting manner; crosswise; obliquely; diagonally; as, to cut cloth bias. [1913 Webster]
Bias \Bi"as\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Biased (b[imac]"ast); p. pr. & vb. n. Biasing.] To incline to one side; to give a particular direction to; to influence; to prejudice; to prepossess. [1913 Webster]

Me it had not biased in the one direction, nor should it have biased any just critic in the counter direction. --De Quincey. [1913 Webster]

Bias \Bi"as\ (b[imac]"as), n.; pl. Biases (-[e^]z). [F. biasis, perh. fr. LL. bifax two-faced; L. bis + facies face. See Bi-, and cf. Face.]

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. [1913 Webster]

Being ignorant that there is a concealed bias within the spheroid, which will . . . swerve away.— Sir W. Scott.[1913 Webster]

2.A leaning of the mind; propensity or prepossession toward an object or view, not leaving the mind indifferent; bent; inclination. [1913 Webster]

Strong love is a bias upon the thoughts.— South.[1913 Webster]
Morality influences men's lives, and gives a bias to all their actions.— Locke.[1913 Webster]

3.A wedge-shaped piece of cloth taken out of a garment (as the waist of a dress) to diminish its circumference. [1913 Webster]

4.A slant; a diagonal; as, to cut cloth on the bias. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Prepossession; prejudice; partiality; inclination. See Bent. [1913 Webster]

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