The word "vice" refers to a moral failing or a specific immoral behaviour that is considered wrong or sinful. It often describes habits, practices, or traits that are deemed undesirable or corrupt, such as greed, lust, or addiction. In a broader sense, "vice" can also refer to a tool used for holding or clamping objects in place.
The word "vice" comes from the Latin word "vitium," which means flaw or defect. The term has evolved through Old French "vice" before entering the English language in the late Middle Ages.