Definitions for biasˈbaɪ əs

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

bi•as^*ˈbaɪ əs(n.; adj.; adv.; v.)bi•ased, bi•as•ing; bi•assed, bi•as•sing.

(n.)an oblique or diagonal line of direction, esp. across a woven fabric.
Category: Textiles
a particular tendency or inclination, esp. one that prevents impartial consideration of a question; prejudice.
a systematic as opposed to a random distortion of a statistic as a result of sampling procedure.
Category: Statistics
the application of a steady voltage or current to an active device, as a diode or transistor, to produce a desired mode of operation.
Category: Electronics
(adj.)(of the cut of a fabric or garment) diagonal; oblique.
Category: Textiles
(adv.)in a diagonal manner; obliquely; slantingly:
to cut material bias.
(v.t.)to cause partiality in; influence, often unfairly:
a tearful plea designed to bias the jury.

Idioms for bias:

on the bias, in the diagonal direction of the cloth. out of line; slanting.
Category: Idiom, Textiles

^* Syn: bias , prejudice mean a strong inclination of the mind or a preconceived opinion about something or someone. A bias may be favorable or unfavorable: bias in favor of or against an idea.prejudice implies a preformed judgment even more unreasoning than bias , and usu. implies an unfavorable opinion: prejudice against a race.

Origin of bias:

1520–30; < MF biais oblique < OPr

Princeton's WordNet

bias, prejudice, preconception(noun)
a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation
diagonal, bias(adj)
a line or cut across a fabric that is not at right angles to a side of the fabric
bias(verb)
slanting diagonally across the grain of a fabric
"a bias fold"
bias(verb)
influence in an unfair way
"you are biasing my choice by telling me yours"
bias, predetermine(verb)
cause to be biased

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

bias(noun)ˈbaɪ əs
an unfair preference for one thing
the show's liberal bias; reporting without a bias; his bias against female managers

Wiktionary

bias(Noun)
inclination towards something; predisposition, partiality, prejudice, preference, predilection
bias(Noun)
the diagonal line between warp and weft in a woven fabric
bias(Noun)
a voltage or current applied for example to a transistor electrode
bias(Noun)
the difference between the expectation of the sample estimator and the true population value, which reduces the representativeness of the estimator by systematically distorting it
bias(Noun)
In the game of crown green bowls: a weight added to one side of a bowl so that as it rolls, it will follow a curved rather than a straight path; the oblique line followed by such a bowl; the lopsided shape or structure of such a bowl.
bias(Verb)
To place bias upon; to influence.
Our prejudices bias our views.
Bias(ProperNoun)
One of the Seven Sages of Greece from Priene living in the 6th century BC.

Origin: From Βίας.

Webster Dictionary

Bias(noun)
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
Bias(noun)
a leaning of the mind; propensity or prepossession toward an object or view, not leaving the mind indifferent; bent; inclination
Bias(noun)
a wedge-shaped piece of cloth taken out of a garment (as the waist of a dress) to diminish its circumference
Bias(noun)
a slant; a diagonal; as, to cut cloth on the bias
Bias(adj)
inclined to one side; swelled on one side
Bias(adj)
cut slanting or diagonally, as cloth
Bias(adverb)
in a slanting manner; crosswise; obliquely; diagonally; as, to cut cloth bias
Bias(verb)
to incline to one side; to give a particular direction to; to influence; to prejudice; to prepossess

The Nuttall Encyclopedia

Bias
one of the seven wise men of Greece, born at Priene, in Ionia; lived in the 6th century B.C.; many wise sayings are ascribed to him; was distinguished for his indifference to possessions, which moth and rust can corrupt, and thieves break through and steal.

The Standard Electrical Dictionary

Bias
In polarized relay the adjustment of the tongue to lie normally against one or the other contact. (See Relay, Polarized.) Fig. 58. RESISTANCE COILS SHOWING BIFILAR WINDING.