1. [n]  a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation
2. [n]  a line or cut across a fabric that is not at right angles to a side
3. [adj]  slanting diagonally across the grain of a fabric; "a bias fold"
4. [v]  cause to be biased
5. [v]  influence in an unfair way; "you are biasing my choice by telling me yours"

Bias
An Emmy Award-winning CBS broadcast journalist turns his analytic eye on his own industry in this investigation of broadcast news. Here he suggests that television news is biased toward the political left.

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1. \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}.
   

2. \Bi"as\, a.
   1. Inclined to one side; swelled on one side. [Obs.] --Shak.
   2. Cut slanting or diagonally, as cloth.
   

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

4. \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.