Definition of "vice" in English

noun

1. Bad or immoral behaviour.

   • Pride is a vice, not a virtue.
   • Smoking was a vice Sally picked up in high school.

2. (law) Any of various crimes related (depending on jurisdiction) to weapons, prostitution, pornography, gambling, alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.

3. (law enforcement, slang) Clipping of vice squad.

4. A defect in the temper or behaviour of a horse, such as to make the animal dangerous, to injure its health, or to diminish its usefulness.

noun

1. (Commonwealth) Alternative spelling of vise (“mechanical screw apparatus used for clamping”).

2. A tool for drawing lead into cames, or flat grooved rods, for casements.

3. (architecture) A winding or spiral staircase.

4. (obsolete) A grip or grasp.

verb

1. Alternative spelling of vise (“to hold or squeeze with a vice”).

adjective

1. in place of; subordinate to; designating a person below another in rank

   • vice president
   • vice admiral

preposition

1. (chiefly dated) Instead of; in place of; versus.

noun

1. One who acts in place of a superior.

   • c. 1850s-1870s, Edward Minister and Son, The Gazette of Fashion and Cutting-Room Companion The health of the Vice was proposed in appropriate language; in replying, Mr. Marriott thanked the company […]