bias

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bias[1,noun] bias[2,adjective] bias[3,adverb] bias[4,transitive verb] Beas Bias bias-belted tire bias crime bias-ply tire bias tape

Main Entry: ¹bi·as
Pronunciation: 'bI-&s
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French biais
1 : a line diagonal to the grain of a fabric; especially : a line at a 45 degree angle to the selvage often utilized in the cutting of garments for smoother fit
2 a : a peculiarity in the shape of a bowl that causes it to swerve when rolled on the green in lawn bowling b : the tendency of a bowl to swerve; also : the impulse causing this tendency c : the swerve of the bowl
3 a : BENT, TENDENCY b : an inclination of temperament or outlook; especially : a personal and sometimes unreasoned judgment : PREJUDICE c : an instance of such prejudice d (1) : deviation of the expected value of a statistical estimate from the quantity it estimates (2) : systematic error introduced into sampling or testing by selecting or encouraging one outcome or answer over others
4 a : a voltage applied to a device (as a transistor control electrode) to establish a reference level for operation b : a high-frequency voltage combined with an audio signal to reduce distortion in tape recording
synonym see PREDILECTION
- on the bias : ASKEW, OBLIQUELY