Main Entry: ¹vice

Pronunciation: \ˈvīs\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin vitium fault, vice

Date: 14th century

1 a : moral depravity or corruption : wickedness b : a moral fault or failing c : a habitual and usually trivial defect or shortcoming : foible <suffered from the vice of curiosity>
2 : blemish, defect
3 : a physical imperfection, deformity, or taint
4 a often capitalized : a character representing one of the vices in an English morality play b : buffoon, jester
5 : an abnormal behavior pattern in a domestic animal detrimental to its health or usefulness
6 : sexual immorality; especially : prostitution

synonyms see fault, offense