Bi″as (bī″as), n.; pl.Biases (–ĕz). [F. biasis, perh. fr. LL. bifax two-faced; L. bis + facies face. See Bi-, and cf. Face.] 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.