vice

/ˈvīs/

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

noun

  1. moral depravity or corruption : wickedness

  2. a moral fault or failing

  3. a habitual and usually trivial defect or shortcoming : foible

fault failing frailty foible vice mean an imperfection or weakness of character. fault implies a failure, not necessarily culpable, to reach some standard of perfection in disposition, action, or habit. failing suggests a minor shortcoming in character.

preposition

  1. in the place of; also : rather, than

I will preside, vice the absent chairman