1. n.1 a evil or grossly immoral conduct. b a particular form of this, esp. involving prostitution, drugs, etc.
2 a depravity, evil. b an evil habit; a particular form of depravity (has the vice of gluttony).
3 a defect of character or behaviour (drunkenness was not among his vices).
4 a fault or bad habit in a horse etc.
Phrases and idioms:
vice ring a group of criminals involved in organizing illegal prostitution. vice squad a police department enforcing laws against prostitution, drug abuse, etc.
Derivatives:
viceless adj.
Etymology: ME f. OF f. L vitium 2. n. & v.
--n. (US vise) an instrument, esp. attached to a workbench, with two movable jaws between which an object may be clamped so as to leave the hands free to work on it.
--v.tr. secure in a vice.
Derivatives:
vicelike adj.
Etymology: ME, winding stair, screw, f. OF vis f. L vitis vine 3.
prep. in the place of; in succession to.
Etymology: L, ablat. of vix (recorded in oblique forms in vic-) change 4. n. colloq. VICE-PRESIDENT, VICE ADMIRAL , etc.
Etymology: abbr.