Bias

–noun 1. an oblique or diagonal line of direction, esp. across a woven fabric.
2. a particular tendency or inclination, esp. one that prevents unprejudiced consideration of a question; prejudice.
3. Statistics. a systematic as opposed to a random distortion of a statistic as a result of sampling procedure.
4. Lawn Bowling. a. a slight bulge or greater weight on one side of the ball or bowl.
b. the curved course made by such a ball when rolled.

5. Electronics. the application of a steady voltage or current to an active device, as a diode or transistor, to produce a desired mode of operation.
6. a high-frequency alternating current applied to the recording head of a tape recorder during recording in order to reduce distortion.
–adjective 7. cut, set, folded, etc., diagonally: This material requires a bias cut.
–adverb 8. in a diagonal manner; obliquely; slantingly: to cut material bias.
–verb (used with object) 9. to cause partiality or favoritism in (a person); influence, esp. unfairly: a tearful plea designed to bias the jury.
10. Electronics. to apply a steady voltage or current to (the input of an active device).
—Idiom11. on the bias, a. in the diagonal direction of the cloth.
b. out of line; slanting.

from dictionary.com