See Also: vice-like(dictionary)
vice(dictionary)
vice-(dictionary)
vice-(dictionary)
vice(5)(dictionary)
vice(4)(dictionary)
vice(3)(dictionary)
vice(2)(dictionary)
vice(1)(dictionary)
VICE(law)

vice(1) (iou)



vice noun1. ME.
[Old & mod. French from Latin vitium.]
Extreme moral corruption; depravity; evil; grossly immoral or degrading habits or conduct. ME.
Byron Vice cannot fix, and virtue cannot change..For vice must have variety. C. Connolly We pay for vice by the knowledge that we are wicked.
b. An instance of this; an immoral or degrading habit or practice, esp. one involving prostitution, drugs, etc. ME.
Tennyson Doubling all his master's vice of pride.
c. A character in a morality play representing (a) vice. obsolete exc. Hist. M16.
d. ellipt. = vice squad below. slang. M20.
A defect in personal character or conduct, or in the action or constitution of a thing; a fault, a flaw. ME.
D. H. Lawrence Not that James had any vices. He did not drink or smoke. Times of India In some cases, custodial interrogation was necessary, despite its many vices.
b. A physical defect or weakness; a blemish, a deformity. LME.
vice of conformation Medicine (now rare) a congenital deformity.
c. A bad habit or fault in a horse. E18.
Viciousness, harmfulness. Now rare. M19.
Comb.: vice ring a group of criminals involved in organized prostitution; vice squad a division of a police force appointed to enforce laws relating to prostitution, drug abuse, illegal gambling, etc.
viceless adjective M16.