vice

The definition of a vice is a weakness in morality or bad habit.

(noun)

An example of vice is someone having a gambling problem.

See vice in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

1. an evil or wicked action, habit, or characteristic
2. evil or wicked conduct or behavior; depravity or corruption
3. prostitution
4. in old English morality plays, a character, often a buffoon, representing a vice or vice in general
any trivial fault or failing, act of self-indulgence, etc.
a defect or flaw, as in a work of art
any physical or functional defect or imperfection of the body
a bad or harmful trick or habit, as of a horse or dog

Origin: ME < OFr < L vitium, vice, fault < IE base *wi-, apart, in two > with, Sans viṣu-, in opposite directions

in the place of; as the deputy or successor of

Origin: L: see vice-

noun, transitive verb

Brit. vise

one who acts in the place of; subordinate; deputy: vice-president, viceregal

Origin: < L vice, in the place of another, abl. of *vix: see vicar

See vice in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. An evil, degrading, or immoral practice or habit.
b. A serious moral failing.
c. Wicked or evil conduct or habits; corruption.
Sexual immorality, especially prostitution.
a. A slight personal failing; a foible: the vice of untidiness.
b. A flaw or imperfection; a defect.
A physical defect or weakness.
An undesirable habit, such as crib-biting, in a domestic animal.
a. Vice A character representing generalized or particular vice in English morality plays.
b. A jester or buffoon.