hiccup
or hic-cough
[ hik-uhp, -uh p ]
/ ˈhɪk ʌp, -əp /
noun
a quick, involuntary inhalation that follows a spasm of the diaphragm and is suddenly checked by closure of the glottis, producing a short, relatively sharp sound.
Usually hiccups.
the condition of having such spasms: She got the hiccups just as she began to speak.
Informal.
a minor difficulty, interruption, setback, etc.: a hiccup in the stock market.
verb (used without object), hic·cuped or hic·cupped, hic·cup·ing or hic·cup·ping.
to make the sound of a hiccup: The motor hiccuped as it started.
to have the hiccups.
Informal.
to experience a temporary decline, setback, interruption, etc.: There was general alarm when the economy hiccuped.
Words nearby hiccup
hibiscus,
hic,
hic et ubique,
hic jacet,
hic requiescit in pace,
hiccup,
hichens,
hick,
hick-joint pointing,
hickey,
hickok
Example sentences from the Web for hiccough
British Dictionary definitions for hiccough
hiccup
hiccough
/ (ˈhɪkʌp) /
noun
a spasm of the diaphragm producing a sudden breathing in followed by a closing of the glottis, resulting in a sharp sound
Technical name: singultus
the state or condition of having such spasms
informal
a minor difficulty or problem
verb -cups, -cuping, -cuped, -cups, -cupping, -cupped, -coughs, -coughing or -coughed
(intr)
to make a hiccup or hiccups
(tr)
to utter with a hiccup or hiccups
Word Origin for hiccup
C16: of imitative origin
Medical definitions for hiccough
hiccup
n.
A spasm of the diaphragm causing sudden inhalation interrupted by spasmodic closure of the glottis, producing a characteristic noise.