prejudice
Cross references: 1. predilection 1. prej.u.dice \'prej-*d-*s\ n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L praejudicium previous judgment, damage, fr. prae-X + judicium judgment - more at JUDICIAL 1: injury or damage resulting from some judgment or action of another in di sregard of one's rights; esp : detriment to one's legal rights or claims 2a1: preconceived judgment or opinion 2a2: an opinion or leaning adverse to anything without just grounds or befo re sufficient knowledge 2b: an instance of such judgment or opinion 2c: an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a g roup, a race, or their supposed characteristics 2. prejudice vt 1: to injure or damage by some judgment or action esp. at law 2: to cause to have prejudice
Webster's English Dictionary