vice
1[ vahys ]
/ vaɪs /
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noun
adjective
of or relating to the vice squad, or to the threats to public order it is tasked to police, such as gambling, pornography, prostitution, and narcotics: a vice cop;the vice division of the police department.
OTHER WORDS FOR vice
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of vice
1First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Latin vitium “a fault, defect, vice”
synonym study for vice
See fault.
Other definitions for vice (2 of 4)
Other definitions for vice (3 of 4)
vice3
[ vahy-see, -suh, vahys ]
/ ˈvaɪ si, -sə, vaɪs /
preposition
instead of; in the place of: The committee was reorganized, with Mr. Silver, vice Mr. Cooper, as the head.
Origin of vice
3First recorded in 1760–70; from Latin: literally, “instead of,” ablative of vicis (genitive; not attested in nominative) “recurring action, turn, interchange, alternation”
Other definitions for vice (4 of 4)
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-
Middle English ≪ Latin vicevice3
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use vice in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for vice (1 of 5)
vice1
/ (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 forms of vice
viceless, adjectiveWord Origin for vice
C13: via Old French from Latin vitium a defect
British Dictionary definitions for vice (2 of 5)
vice2
often 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 forms of vice
vicelike or US viselike, adjectiveWord 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 5)
vice3
/ (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 5)
vice4
/ (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 5)
Vice
/ (vaɪs) /
noun
(in English morality plays) a character personifying a particular vice or vice in general
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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