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Dictionary

bi•as

Pronunciation: (bī'us), [key]
—n., adj., adv., v., bi•ased, bi•as•ing or (esp. Brit.) bi•assed, bi•as•sing.

—n.
1. an oblique or diagonal line of direction, esp. across a woven fabric.
2. a particular tendency or inclination, esp. one that prevents unprejudiced consideration of a question; prejudice.
3. Statistics.a systematic as opposed to a random distortion of a statistic as a result of sampling procedure.
4. Lawn Bowling.
a. a slight bulge or greater weight on one side of the ball or bowl.
b. the curved course made by such a ball when rolled.
5. Electronics.the application of a steady voltage or current to an active device, as a diode or transistor, to produce a desired mode of operation.
6. a high-frequency alternating current applied to the recording head of a tape recorder during recording in order to reduce distortion.
7. on the bias,
a. in the diagonal direction of the cloth.
b. out of line; slanting.

—adj.
cut, set, folded, etc., diagonally: This material requires a bias cut.

—adv.
in a diagonal manner; obliquely; slantingly: to cut material bias.

—v.t.
1. to cause partiality or favoritism in (a person); influence, esp. unfairly: a tearful plea designed to bias the jury.
2. Electronics.to apply a steady voltage or current to (the input of an active device).