Bias — Defs

01 n. 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.

pl. Biases ((-ĕz))

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.
“Being ignorant that there is a concealed bias within the spheroid, which will . . . swerve away.” — Sir W. Scott.
2.
A leaning of the mind; propensity or prepossession toward an object or view, not leaving the mind indifferent; bent; inclination.
“Strong love is a bias upon the thoughts.” — South.

“Morality influences men's lives, and gives a bias to all their actions.” — Locke.
3.
A wedge-shaped piece of cloth taken out of a garment (as the waist of a dress) to diminish its circumference.
4.
A slant; a diagonal; as, to cut cloth on the bias.

Syn. Prepossession; prejudice; partiality; inclination. See Bent.

02 a. Inclined to one side; swelled on one side.

03 adv. In a slanting manner; crosswise; obliquely; diagonally; as, to cut cloth bias.

1.
In a slanting manner; crosswise; obliquely; diagonally; as, to cut cloth bias.

04 v. t. To incline to one side; to give a particular direction to; to influence; to prejudice; to prepossess.

imp. & p. p. Biased; p. pr. & vb. n. Biasing

1.
To incline to one side; to give a particular direction to; to influence; to prejudice; to prepossess.
“Me it had not biased in the one direction, nor should it have biased any just critic in the counter direction.” — De Quincey.