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Origin of vice
11250–1300; Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French < Latin vitium a fault, defect, vice
Synonym study
1. Fault, failing, foible, weakness, vice imply shortcomings or imperfections in a person. Fault is the common word used to refer to any of the average shortcomings of a person; when it is used, condemnation is not necessarily implied: Of his many faults the greatest is vanity. Foible, failing, weakness all tend to excuse the person referred to. Of these foible is the mildest, suggesting a weak point that is slight and often amusing, manifesting itself in eccentricity rather than in wrongdoing: the foibles of artists. Weakness suggests that the person in question is unable to control a particular impulse, and gives way to self-indulgence: a weakness for pretty women. Failing is closely akin to fault, except that it is particularly applied to humanity at large, suggesting common, often venial, shortcomings: Procrastination and making excuses are common failings. Vice (which may also apply to a sin in itself, apart from a person: the vice of gambling ) is the strongest term, and designates a habit that is truly detrimental or evil.
Definition for vice (2 of 5)
Definition for vice (3 of 5)
vice
3[ vahy-see, -suh, vahys ]
/ ˈvaɪ si, -sə, vaɪs /
preposition
instead of; in the place of.
Origin of vice
31760–70; < Latin: instead of, ablative of vicis (genitive; not attested in nominative) interchange, alternation
Definition for vice (4 of 5)
vise
or vice
[ vahys ]
/ vaɪs /
noun
any of various devices, usually having two jaws that may be brought together or separated by means of a screw, lever, or the like, used to hold an object firmly while work is being done on it.
verb (used with object), vised, vis·ing.
to hold, press, or squeeze with or as with a vise.
Origin of vise
1300–50; Middle English vis < Old French: screw < Latin vītis vine (whose spiral form gave later sense)
Related formsvise·like, adjective
Definition for vice (5 of 5)
vice-
a combining form meaning “deputy,” used in the formation of compound words, usually titles of officials who serve in the absence of the official denoted by the base word: viceroy; vice-chancellor.
Origin of vice-
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for vice
British Dictionary definitions for vice (1 of 6)
vice
1/ (vaɪs) /
noun
an immoral, wicked, or evil habit, action, or trait
habitual or frequent indulgence in pernicious, immoral, or degrading practices
a specific form of pernicious conduct, esp prostitution or sexual perversion
a failing or imperfection in character, conduct, etcsmoking is his only vice
pathol obsolete any physical defect or imperfection
a bad trick or disposition, as of horses, dogs, etc
Derived Formsviceless, adjective
Word Origin for vice
C13: via Old French from Latin vitium a defect
British Dictionary definitions for vice (2 of 6)
vice
2often US vise
/ (vaɪs) /
noun
an appliance for holding an object while work is done upon it, usually having a pair of jaws
verb
(tr) to grip (something) with or as if with a vice
Derived Formsvicelike or US viselike, adjective
Word Origin for vice
C15: from Old French vis a screw, from Latin vītis vine, plant with spiralling tendrils (hence the later meaning)
British Dictionary definitions for vice (3 of 6)
vice
3/ (vaɪs) /
adjective
- (prenominal) serving in the place of or as a deputy for
- (in combination)viceroy
noun
informal a person who serves as a deputy to another
Word Origin for vice
C18: from Latin vice, from vicis interchange
British Dictionary definitions for vice (4 of 6)
vice
4/ (ˈvaɪsɪ) /
preposition
instead of; as a substitute for
Word Origin for vice
C16: from Latin, ablative of vicis change
British Dictionary definitions for vice (5 of 6)
Vice
/ (vaɪs) /
noun
(in English morality plays) a character personifying a particular vice or vice in general
British Dictionary definitions for vice (6 of 6)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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