bias

noun
Prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair. (there was evidence of bias against foreign applicants)
In some sports, such as lawn bowling, the irregular shape given to a ball. (This model bowl has the Traditional bias which has stood the test of time wherever Lawn Bowls is played.)
A steady voltage, magnetic field, or other factor applied to an electronic system or device to cause it to operate over a predetermined range. (Semiconductor amplifying circuit having improved bias circuit for supplying a bias voltage to an amplifying FET)