vice

Everyday

1. A bad habit or a wrong way of behaving. tree →
2. Serious crime such as illegal gambling. tree →
3. (UK; US «vise») A tool with two jaws that holds something firmly while you work on it. tree →
4. (prefix «vice-») Next in rank below the top person: vice-captain, vice president. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and old fables: virtues and vices; a character's vice (greed, laziness) causes trouble. In design and technology lessons: clamp wood in a vice before sawing. At school: vice-captain, vice-principal. Phrases: «a grip like a vice», «vice-captain».

Examples

• Greed was the king's worst vice. tree →
• Chocolate is my only vice, laughed Mum. tree →
• Clamp the wood in the vice before you saw it. tree →
• She was chosen as vice-captain of the netball team. tree →
• His hand gripped mine like a vice. tree →
• The vice-principal took the assembly today. tree →
• He is a great teacher, a corrector of morals, a censor of vice, and a commender of virtue. tree →

Note

The tool is spelt «vice» in the UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ and «vise» in the USA. Opposite of a vice (habit) is a virtue. «Vice versa» (the other way round) is a different phrase.

In Jewish tradition

In stories and old fables: virtues and vices; a character's vice (greed, laziness) causes trouble. In design and technology lessons: clamp wood in a vice before sawing. At school: vice-captain, vice-principal. Phrases: «a grip like a vice», «vice-captain».

Note

The tool is spelt «vice» in the UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ and «vise» in the USA. Opposite of a vice (habit) is a virtue. «Vice versa» (the other way round) is a different phrase.