personal equation

American  

noun

1. the tendency to personal bias that accounts for variation in interpretation or approach and for which allowance must be made.

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personal equation British  

noun

1. the variation or error in observation or judgment caused by individual characteristics

2. the allowance made for such variation

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Etymology

Origin of personal equation

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

Relations between the U.S. and Europe are complicated by the personal equation.

From Time Magazine Archive

There are experimentalists, like Picasso, and those who, like Braque, discover their personal equation and go on repeating it.

From Time Magazine Archive

It is fully recognised, both by advocates and opponents of payment by result, that the personal equation of the tapper is a very important factor.

From The Preparation of Plantation Rubber by Morgan, Sidney

In an analysis of this character the personal equation must have a secondary place.

From Final Proof or the Value of Evidence by Ottolengui, R.

There is, however, the personal equation to be taken into account.

From Life of Oliver Wendell Holmes by Brown, E. E.