Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - bias

n. & v. --n. 1 (often foll. by towards, against) a predisposition or prejudice. 2 Statistics a systematic distortion of a statistical result due to a factor not allowed for in its derivation. 3 an edge cut obliquely across the weave of a fabric. 4 Sport a the irregular shape given to a bowl. b the oblique course this causes it to run. 5 Electr. a steady voltage, magnetic field, etc., applied to an electronic system or device. --v.tr. (biased, biasing; biassed, biassing) 1 (esp. as biased adj.) influence (usu. unfairly); prejudice. 2 give a bias to. Phrases and idioms bias binding a strip of fabric cut obliquely and used to bind edges. on the bias obliquely, diagonally. Etymology: F biais, of unkn. orig.