vice

Meanings

1. Bad or immoral behaviour. (Especially often, a habit that harms oneself or others)
2. Any of various crimes related (depending on jurisdiction) to weapons, prostitution, pornography, gambling, alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.
3. 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.

1. 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. A winding or spiral staircase.
4. A grip or grasp.

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

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

1. Instead of; in place of; versus.

1. One who acts in place of a superior.

1. A surname.

Etymology

PIE word *dwóh₁ From Middle English vice, from Old French vice, from Latin vitium (“fault or blemish”). Displaced native Old English unþēaw.