Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Bias \Bi"as\ (b[imac]"as), n.; pl. {Biases} (-[e^]z). [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}.

Bias \Bi"as\, a.
   1. Inclined to one side; swelled on one side. [Obs.] --Shak.

   2. Cut slanting or diagonally, as cloth.

Bias \Bi"as\, adv.
   In a slanting manner; crosswise; obliquely; diagonally; as,
   to cut cloth bias.

Bias \Bi"as\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Biased} (b[imac]"ast); p. pr.
   & vb. n. {Biasing}.]
   To incline to one side; to give a particular direction to; to
   influence; to prejudice; to prepossess.

         Me it had not biased in the one direction, nor should
         it have biased any just critic in the counter
         direction.                               --De Quincey.

Source : WordNet®

bias
     adj : slanting diagonally across the grain of a fabric; "a bias
           fold"
     [also: {biassing}, {biassed}]

bias
     n 1: a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an
          issue or situation [syn: {prejudice}, {preconception}]
     2: a line or cut across a fabric that is not at right angles to
        a side of the fabric [syn: {diagonal}]
     v 1: influence in an unfair way; "you are biasing my choice by
          telling me yours"
     2: cause to be biased [syn: {predetermine}]
     [also: {biassing}, {biassed}]