Etymology c. 1520 in the sense "oblique line". As a technical term in the game of bowls c. 1560, whence the figurative use (c. 1570). From Middle French biais, adverbially ("sideways, askance, against the grain") c. 1250, as a noun ("oblique angle, slant") from the late 16th century. The French word is likely from Old Occitan biais, itself of obscure origin, most likely from Vulgar Latin *biaxius (“with two axes”).
Morality […] give[s] a bias to all their [men's] actions.1689 (indicated as 1690), [John Locke], chapter 4, in An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding. […], London: […] Eliz[abeth] Holt, for Thomas Basset, […], →OCLC, book I, page 12:
nature has pointed out a mixed kind of life as most suitable to the human race, and secretly admonished them to allow none of these biasses to draw too much1748, David Hume, Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral., London: Oxford University Press, published 1973, § 4:
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Researchers worry that the people who are building artificial intelligence systems may be building their own biases into the technology.2020 December 3, Cade Metz, Daisuke Wakabayashi, “Google Researcher Says She Was Fired Over Paper Highlighting Bias in A.I.”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
Reshaping [of British Railways] was far from perfect. It was tainted by statistical overreach, the unconscious biases of its author, and by the political demands being placed upon the BRB by government.2023 March 8, Gareth Dennis, “The Reshaping of things to come...”, in RAIL, number 978, page 49:
Mathematics, Sciences, Statistics The difference between the expectation of the sample estimator and the true population value, which reduces the representativeness of the estimator by systematically distorting it.
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Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports In the games of crown green bowls and lawn bowls: a weight added to one side of a bowl so that as it rolls, it will follow a curved rather than a straight path; the oblique line followed by such a bowl; the lopsided shape or structure of such a bowl. In lawn bowls, the curved course is caused only by the shape of the bowl. The use of weights is prohibited.
there is a concealed bias within the spheroid1822, [Walter Scott], Peveril of the Peak. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to IV), Edinburgh: […] Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co., →OCLC:
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A person's favourite member of a K-pop band.
South Korean idol fandom
The last thing you want is for your camera to die when you finally get that selca with your bias.2015, "Top 10 Tips For Travelling To Korea", UKP Magazine, Winter 2015, page 37
Sweet, sensitive, and impossibly sassy, V is many fans' bias, and an integral member of the group.2019, Katy Sprinkel, The Big Book of BTS: The Deluxe Unofficial Bangtan Book, unnumbered page:
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One in particular, Minho, really caught my eye. He became what is called my bias or favorite member.2019 May 7, Joelle Weatherford, “Can't stop the K-Pop train”, in The Eagle, Northeast Texas Community College, page 8:
Etymology c. 1520 in the sense "oblique line". As a technical term in the game of bowls c. 1560, whence the figurative use (c. 1570). From Middle French biais, adverbially ("sideways, askance, against the grain") c. 1250, as a noun ("oblique angle, slant") from the late 16th century. The French word is likely from Old Occitan biais, itself of obscure origin, most likely from Vulgar Latin *biaxius (“with two axes”).
1
To place bias upon; to influence.
Our prejudices bias our views.
No doubt they overlook the L.M.R.'s allegedly faulty financial estimates for the Euston-Liverpool/Manchester scheme, which have biassed the Treasury, and perhaps the open-minded Dr. Beeching, against electrification without renewed examination of projects.1963 June, “News and Comment: Le Plan Beeching”, in Modern Railways, page 364:
2002, H. Dijkstra, J. Libby, Overview of silicon detectors, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A 494, 86–93, p. 87. On the ohmic side n⁺ is implanted to provide the ohmic contact to bias the detector.
bias
adj
Etymology c. 1520 in the sense "oblique line". As a technical term in the game of bowls c. 1560, whence the figurative use (c. 1570). From Middle French biais, adverbially ("sideways, askance, against the grain") c. 1250, as a noun ("oblique angle, slant") from the late 16th century. The French word is likely from Old Occitan biais, itself of obscure origin, most likely from Vulgar Latin *biaxius (“with two axes”).
1
Inclined to one side; swelled on one side.
Thou, trumpet, there’s my purſe; / Now cracke thy lungs, and ſplit thy braſen pipe: / Blow, villaine, till thy ſphered Bias cheeke / Out-ſwell the collicke of puft Aquilon: / Come, ſtretch thy cheſt, and let thy eyes ſpout bloud: / Thou bloweſt for Hector.c. 1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene v]:
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Cut slanting or diagonally, as cloth.
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Nonstandard Synonym of biased (“exhibiting bias; prejudiced”).
Tom's vitality and energy were perfect for the role and I think Milos made the perfect choice! Am I bias? Certainly ... but for good reason!1999 January 3, <bantry_girl@my-dejanews.com>, “WEHT Elizabeth Berridge?”, in alt.showbiz.gossip (Usenet), archived from the original on 01 Apr 2026:
I wont deny I'm bias to Godzilla, and I guess that got mixed in my post, though I tried not to. But I really did mean to point out that we're getting mixed reviews on the film, and not to give up hope because of what Norman had to say.1999 November 14, <world_godzilla@hotmail.com>, “Godzilla 2000 Millennium”, in alt.movies.monster (Usenet), archived from the original on 01 Apr 2026:
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Viewing HHH's early works (when his filmic style didn't completely mature), I'm "bias" to love them because they gave me the Taiwanese flavor which I couldn't get from mainland China directors' works.2001 January 12, deadmead, “Great Director: Zhang Yimou”, in alt.asian-movies (Usenet), archived from the original on 01 Apr 2026:
Waddaya want, he sounds like a sales guy whose main customers are contractors. Of course he's bias and ready to defend his bread and butter.2005 September 16, PipeDown, “PRICE PER FIXTURE”, in pdaxs.services.plumbing (Usenet), archived from the original on 01 Apr 2026:
bias
adv
Etymology c. 1520 in the sense "oblique line". As a technical term in the game of bowls c. 1560, whence the figurative use (c. 1570). From Middle French biais, adverbially ("sideways, askance, against the grain") c. 1250, as a noun ("oblique angle, slant") from the late 16th century. The French word is likely from Old Occitan biais, itself of obscure origin, most likely from Vulgar Latin *biaxius (“with two axes”).
1
In a slanting manner; crosswise; obliquely; diagonally.