hiccup

or hic-cough

[ hik-uhp, -uhp ]

noun

1. 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.
2. Usually hiccups. the condition of having such spasms:

   She got the hiccups just as she began to speak.

3. 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.

1. to make the sound of a hiccup:

   The motor hiccuped as it started.

2. to have the hiccups.
3. Informal. to experience a temporary decline, setback, interruption, etc.:

   There was general alarm when the economy hiccuped.

hiccup

/ ˈhɪkʌp /

noun

1. a spasm of the diaphragm producing a sudden breathing in followed by a closing of the glottis, resulting in a sharp sound Technical namesingultus
2. the state or condition of having such spasms
3. informal.
   a minor difficulty or problem

verb

1. intr to make a hiccup or hiccups
2. tr to utter with a hiccup or hiccups

Word History and Origins

Origin of hiccup¹

1570–80; alteration of hocket, hickock, equivalent to hic + -ock; akin to Low German hick hiccup; hocket

Word History and Origins

Origin of hiccup¹

C16: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

While the game got tight in the second half after Toronto outscored the Lakers by 14 in the third quarter, the only meaningful hiccup came in the second when Austin Reaves rolled his ankle and had to return to the locker room.

From Los Angeles Times

If it doesn't leave, it will "just be another hiccup, I think, in four months of hiccups", Monica said, adding that she was "confident we'll sail today".

From BBC

If it doesn't leave, it will "just be another hiccup, I think, in four months of hiccups," Monica said, adding that she is "confident we'll sail today".

From BBC

“We’ll see where we’re at tomorrow and have more information. Maybe it’s a hiccup and we can continue. But there’s also a chance that it might not be. And that obviously would be devastating.”

From Los Angeles Times

But, he noted, he can still play guitar after the “little health hiccup.”

From Los Angeles Times