Mores

Mores (generally pronounced /ˈmɔːreɪz/, and often /ˈmɔːriːz/; from Latin mōrēs, [ˈmoːreːs], plural form of singular mōs, meaning "manner", "custom", "usage", "habit") is a term introduced into English by William Graham Sumner (1840–1910), an early U.S. sociologist, to refer to social norms that are widely observed and are considered to have greater moral significance than others. Mores include an aversion for societal taboos, such as incest. The mores of a society usually predicate legislation prohibiting their taboos. Often, countries will employ specialized vice squads or vice police engaged in suppressing specific crimes offending the societal mores.