hiccup

Alternative forms

• hiccough (old-fashioned)
• hickup

Etymology

Alteration of earlier hickock, from hic (onomatopoeic) + -ock (diminutive suffix). Akin to Dutch hik (“hiccup”), Low German hick (“hiccup”), Danish hikke (“hiccup”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈhɪkəp/, /ˈhɪkʌp/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: hic‧cup

Noun

hiccup (plural hiccups)

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

Verb

hiccup (third-person singular simple present hiccups, present participle hiccuping or hiccupping, simple past and past participle hiccuped or hiccupped)

1. (intransitive) To produce a hiccup; have the hiccups.
2. (transitive) To say with a hiccup.

   "I haven't touched a drop, officer," the suspect hiccupped.

3. (intransitive) To produce an abortive sound like a hiccup.

   The car engine hiccupped but wouldn't start.