Hiccup

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈhɪkÉ™p/, /ˈhɪkÊŒp/

Alternative forms

• hickup
• hiccough old-fashioned

Origin

Alteration of earlier hickock, from hic (onamotopoetic) + -ock (diminuitive suffix). Akin to Low German hick ("hiccup"), Danish hikke ("hiccup").

Full definition of hiccup

Noun

1. A spasm of the diaphragm, or the resulting sound.There was a loud hiccup from the back of the room and the class erupted in laughter.
2. (by extension) Any spasm or sudden change.
• 2010, Oli Smith, Nuclear Time (page 197)Albert didn't notice the switch, the subliminal flash and hiccup in time as the man he had been talking to only seconds before was catapulted backwards half an hour.
3. A minor setback.There's been a slight hiccup in the processing of this quarter's results

Hypernyms

• (spasm of the diaphragm) myoclonus

Verb

1. To have the hiccups.