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).
Bi•as
Pronunciation: (bī'us), [key]—
n.
fl. 570 b.c., Greek philosopher, born in Ionia.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
