Chiefly Sc. [a. L. vice, abl. of vicis (gen. sing.), change, turn, stead, place, etc.]
1. Stead or place (of another). Now rare.
1598. Florio, Vece, stead, place, liew, vice, standing for another.
1607. Hume, Admonit. (Bannatyne Cl.), 13. If suche a man, indewed with so gryte giftis, did so, Who ar ye litle ones to succede wittinglie in his vice?
1672. Burgh Rec. Aberdeen (1872), 283. Nominating and setleing ane postmaster … in the deceist John Wells his vice.
1681. Stair, Instit., I. xix. § 55. 397. Succeeding in the vice is a kind of intrusion, whereby after warning any person comes in possession, by consent of the parties warned.
1838. W. Bell, Dict. Law Scot., 1027. The person succeeding in the vice … will be subjected as an intruder, unless he have a colourable title of possession to protect him.
1868. Act 31 & 32 Vic., c. 101 § 105. The mediate over superior, as acting in the vice of such superior.
† 2. Turn (of sequence or alternation). Obs.
1637–50. Row, Hist. Kirk (Wodrow Soc.), 356. It was Mr Thomas Sydserf his vice to have sermon that day in the Grayfrier kirk.
1672. Burgh Rec. Aberdeen (1872), 279. Ane … watch of the inhabitants [to] be setled,… and no person to be absent in their vice without sicknes … or vther lawfull excuse. Ibid. (1711), 344. That the saids elementarians … be taught for this vice be Mr. William Mestone.
1775. L. Shaw, Hist. Moray, 357. After this, the Family of Seafort claimed a Vice [of nomination].
1793. Statist. Acc. Scot., VII. 34. Messrs. Alexander Hamilton … and Cunningham of Sea-bank are vice-patrons [of the parish]. The former has the next vice.
