Bias

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /ˈbaɪəs/

Definitions

1. A tendency to favor or oppose something unfairly, often based on preconceived notions rather than objective reasoning
2. A preconceived inclination toward or against something that skews judgment, affecting how decisions are made and influencing outcomes
3. An unfair preference or prejudice that distorts perception and leads to decisions that are not based on fair assessment

Etymology: The word began as a physical description before it described people. In the 1520s English speakers used it for an "oblique line," a slanting path that cut across a straight one. Its origin lies in French, where "biais" meant "sideways, askance, against the grain" and was used adverbially, so the word was built around the idea of going at an angle rather than straight on. The sense that matters today came from the game of bowls. By about 1560 it was a technical term for the curved, off-centre course a bowl took because of its uneven weight, and the figurative sense of a deliberate tilt in judgment followed around 1570. A bowl that veers unnaturally off its line is a neat image for a verdict that has been pulled away from fairness. The French word itself is probably from Old Occitan "biais," whose origin is obscure, though it is most likely linked to Vulgar Latin "biaxius," meaning "with two axes."

Synonyms: prejudice, partiality, favoritism, leaning, predilection

Antonyms: impartiality, fairness, objectivity, neutrality