ETYM French biasis, perh. from Late Lat. bifax two-faced; Latin bis + facies face. Related to Bi-, Face.
1. A uniform or systematic deviation from a point of reference.
2. In mathematics, an indication of the amount by which the average of a group of values deviates from a reference value.
3. In electronics, a voltage applied to a transistor or other electronic device to establish a reference level for its operation.
4. In communications, a type of distortion in the length of transmitted bits, caused by a lag that occurs as voltage builds up or falls off each time the signal changes from 0 to 1 or vice versa.
Tendency to a one-sided view; prejudice. Bias does not necessarily lie in what is said or written; omission of detail that does not suit the argument or intention of the speaker or writer is also a manifestation of bias.
A partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation; SYN. prejudice.
An inadequacy in experimental design that leads to results or conclusions not representative of the population under study.

1. To cause to be biased; SYN. predetermine.
2. To give a bias to, as in a race.

Slanting diagonally across the grain of a fabric.

1. diagonally
2 obsolete; awry

Beas.