Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: Noise ordinance
VICE: A bad thing that someone does or a way they behave that is not good or right. It can be something small or something very serious. It can also mean when someone takes the place of someone else.
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.