This is the 1209th most frequent French word.
vice
A moral fault, weakness, or bad habit.
Here, 'vice' denotes a bad habit or immoral practice.
Le vice du tabac peut être difficile à surmonter.
The vice of tobacco can be difficult to overcome.
In this usage, 'vice' is used to mean a flaw or defect.
Chaque pièce de cette machine a un vice caché.
Each part of this machine has a hidden defect.
The word 'vice' here indicates a deputy or substitute role in a position.