hiccup

• hiccough (old-fashioned)
• hickup

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

• IPA^(key): /ˈhɪkəp/, /ˈhɪkʌp/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: hic‧cup

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. (informal) A minor setback.

   There's been a slight hiccup in the processing of this quarter's results.

• (spasm of the diaphragm): myoclonus

• hiccups

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.