Legal Definitions - vice

Vice refers to a moral failing or ethical fault. It can also refer to wickedness or corruption. In general, it refers to any defect or failing.

As a prefix, vice- denotes one who takes the place of. As a preposition, it means in the place of or in the stead of.

Example 1: Gambling is a vice that can lead to addiction and financial ruin.

Example 2: Corruption in government is a vice that undermines democracy and the rule of law.

Example 3: John was appointed as the vice president of the company, which means he takes the place of the president when needed.

The examples illustrate how vice can refer to a moral failing or ethical fault, as in the case of gambling and corruption. The third example shows how vice can be used as a prefix to denote someone who takes the place of another person, such as the vice president taking the place of the president.