n.; pl. Biases [ 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. [ 1913 Webster ] Being ignorant that there is a concealed bias within the spheroid, which will . . . swerve away. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. A leaning of the mind; propensity or prepossession toward an object or view, not leaving the mind indifferent; bent; inclination. [ 1913 Webster ] Strong love is a bias upon the thoughts. South. [ 1913 Webster ] Morality influences men's lives, and gives a bias to all their actions. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. A wedge-shaped piece of cloth taken out of a garment (as the waist of a dress) to diminish its circumference. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. A slant; a diagonal; as, to cut cloth on the bias. [ 1913 Webster ] Syn. -- Prepossession; prejudice; partiality; inclination. See Bent. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
