vice
/vais/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A moral failing or evil habit: A specific form of evildoing or a practice considered immoral, depraved, or degrading by society.
- A serious moral weakness: A flaw in character that leads to immoral or wicked behavior.
- (Technical) A clamping tool: A mechanical device, such as a vise, with two jaws for holding an object firmly in place while work is done on it.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Moral failing):
- Greed and envy are considered vices.
- The city was notorious for its vices, including gambling and prostitution.
- Noun (Technical tool):
- He secured the piece of wood in the vice before sawing it.
Advanced Usage
- "Vice versa": A Latin phrase meaning "the other way around" or "conversely." It indicates that the reverse of a statement is also true.
- She can translate from French to English and vice versa.
- As a prefix: Used in titles to denote a deputy or substitute (e.g., vice-president, vice-chancellor). This is a separate, distinct usage from the main noun forms.
Variants and Related Words
- Vicious (adj): Characterized by vice or immorality; cruel or violent.
- He was known for his vicious temper.
- Vise (n): The standard American English spelling for the mechanical tool. "Vice" is the common spelling in British English for the tool.
Synonyms
- Sin: An immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law.
- Wickedness: The quality of being evil or morally wrong.
- Depravity: Moral corruption; wickedness.
- Failing: A weakness, especially in character.
Antonyms
- Virtue: Behavior showing high moral standards.
- Goodness: The quality of being morally good or virtuous.
Related Phrases
- Vice squad: A police division that deals with the enforcement of laws against certain vices like gambling or drug use.
- The vice squad raided the illegal casino.
Noun
- a specific form of evildoing
- vice offends the moral standards of the community
- moral weakness