bias

bias [bī′əs]

n.

pl. biases [MFr biais, a slope, slant < OFr < OProv < ?]

1. a line, cut or sewn diagonally across the weave of cloth, as in making seams, binding tape, etc.

2. a mental leaning or inclination; partiality; bent

3. Lawn Bowling

a) the bulge in the side of the ball (the bowl) that causes it to roll in a curve

b) this curve or tendency to curve

c) the force causing this

4. Electronics a high-frequency signal or tone added to a tape during the recording process so as to reduce distortion and increase frequency response

5. Radio the fixed voltage applied to an electrode circuit to control the mode of operation, usually measured with the cathode voltage as reference

6. Statistics any systematic error contributing to the difference between statistical values in a population and a sample drawn from it

adj.

slanting; diagonal

adv.

1. diagonally

2. Obs. awry

vt.

biased or biassed, biasing or biassing

1. to cause to have a bias; influence; prejudice

2. Radio to apply a bias to (an electrode)

SYN.- PREJUDICE

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on the bias

diagonally; obliquely; specif., cut or sewn diagonally across the weave