hiccup
INVOLUNTARY CONTRACTION OF THE DIAPHRAGM
Hiccough; Hiccups; Hiccoughs; Hiccupping; Singulthus; Singultus; Hicup; Hickups; Chronic hiccup; Charles Osborne (hiccups); Hiccup reflex; Hicough; Hiccup remedies; Hick-up; Singuitus; Synchronous diaphragmatic flutter; Hiccuping; Hiccough reflex; Hichup; Hickup
(also hiccough (pronunciation same))
¦ noun
1. an involuntary spasm of the diaphragm and respiratory organs, with a sudden closure of the glottis and a characteristic gulping sound.
2. a minor difficulty or setback.
¦ verb (hiccups, hiccuping, hiccuped) make the sound of a hiccup or series of hiccups.
Derivatives
hiccupy adjective
Origin
C16: imitative; the form
hiccough arose by assoc. with
cough.