What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Failing vs Vice - What's the difference?

failing | vice | Related terms |

As verbs the difference between failing and vice

is that failing is present participle of lang=en while vice is to hold or squeeze with a vice, or as if with a vice.

As nouns the difference between failing and vice

is that failing is weakness; defect while vice is a bad habit.

As prepositions the difference between failing and vice

is that failing is if the preferred or prior option is not possible while vice is instead of, in place of.

As an adjective vice is

in place of; subordinate to; designating a person below another in rank.

failing

English

Verb

(head)

    • Noun

    (en noun)
  • weakness; defect
    • His worst failing is his temper.

    Preposition

    (English prepositions)
  • if the preferred or prior option is not possible
    • A large proportion of the females employed in other firms are said to have signified their intention of going on strike, failing a settlement.

    vice

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl), from (etyl), from (etyl) .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A bad habit.
    • Smoking is a vice , not a virtue.
  • (legal) Any of various crimes related (depending on jurisdiction) to prostitution, pornography, gambling, alcohol, or drugs.
  • A defect in the temper or behaviour of a horse, such as to make the animal dangerous, to injure its health, or to diminish its usefulness.
  • * From the case of Scholefield v. Robb (1839).
    • Antonyms
    * (bad habit) virtue
    Derived terms
    * vice squad
    Related terms
    * vicious * vitiate

    See also

    * habit

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) ; akin to English withy.

    Alternative forms

    * vise (US)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A mechanical screw apparatus used for clamping or holding (also spelled vise).
  • A tool for drawing lead into cames, or flat grooved rods, for casements.
  • (obsolete) A grip or grasp.
  • * 1597 , , II. I. 22:
    • Fang. An I but fist him once; an a’ come but within my vice ,–

    Verb

    (vic)
  • To hold or squeeze with a vice, or as if with a vice.
  • * 1610 , , I. ii. 416:
    • Camillo. As he had seen’t, or been an instrument / To vice you to't, that you have touched his queen / Forbiddenly
  • * De Quincey
    • The coachman's hand was viced between his upper and lower thigh.

    Etymology 3

    From (etyl) , ablative form of vicis.

    Adjective

    vice (no comparative or superlative)
  • in place of; subordinate to; designating a person below another in rank
    • vice president
    vice admiral
    Derived terms
    * vice admiral * vice governor * vice mayor * vice president

    Preposition

    (head)
  • instead of, in place of
    • A. B. was appointed postmaster vice C. D. resigned.
    ----