bias

(Old French: oblique, slant; prejudicial, prejudiced)

bias (s) (noun), biases (pl)
1. An unfair preference for someone or something: The judge at the beauty contest had a bias for a certain woman; as indicated by the look on his face.
2. A manner in which some people are treated in a negative way compared to others: The company obviously had a bias against women because they were paid substantially less than the men.
3. A diagonal line which goes across the weave of a fabric: The tailor cut the material for Gwen's dress on a specific bias so it would have a good appearance and hang gracefully.
4. To achieve a specific score by bowling with a swerving motion using a rolling object: Mike used a large ball to roll with a bias in order to knock down as many pins as possible.
A mental prejudice or inclination for someone or something.
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bias (verb), biases, biasses; biased, biassed; biasing, biassing
To influence or to affect unfairly: The lawyer was trying to bias the judge to rule in favor of his client.
bias (adjective), more bias, most bias
1. A reference to something that is slanting or swerving: When Bill threw his bowling ball down the alley, he caused it to have a bias motion that resulted in knocking all of the pins down.
2. Relating to a strong negative inclination of temperament or outlook against something or someone: The readers of the newspaper complained about the bias support of the liberal politician instead of the more conservative one.

The bias hiring of the company regarding the exclusion of women and minorities was rejected by the local union of workers.

bias binding (s) (noun), bias bindings (pl)
A strip of material that is cut across the grain of a fabric: The taylor used a bias binding for strengthening the hems and for finishing the edges of the dress she was making.
biased (adjective), more biased, most biased
Characterized by being unable to or unwilling to form a fair or objective opinion about someone or something: The TV reporter had a more biased opinion regarding the man who was running to be elected as mayor of the city.