Advertisement
Advertisement
hiccup
[ hik-uhp, -uhp ]
noun
- 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.
- Usually hiccups. the condition of having such spasms:
She got the hiccups just as she began to speak.
- Informal. a minor difficulty, interruption, setback, etc.:
a hiccup in the stock market.
verb (used without object)
- to make the sound of a hiccup:
The motor hiccuped as it started.
- to have the hiccups.
- Informal. to experience a temporary decline, setback, interruption, etc.:
There was general alarm when the economy hiccuped.
hiccup
/ ˈhɪkʌp /
noun
- a spasm of the diaphragm producing a sudden breathing in followed by a closing of the glottis, resulting in a sharp sound Technical namesingultus
- the state or condition of having such spasms
- informal.a minor difficulty or problem
verb
- intr to make a hiccup or hiccups
- tr to utter with a hiccup or hiccups
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of hiccup1
Discover More
Example Sentences
At the time, I called it a hiccup rather than a heart attack.
So, yeah, it was a very big hiccup—one sufficiently large to jolt the heart from its regular beat.
But the challenge of acting in a major franchise was just a hiccup when compared to the challenge of acting in front of the press.
Not that Kiev and U.S. counter-propaganda goes through without a hiccup.
But I am guessing this is going to be a hiccup in his career.
Her face was bowed forward and covered with her hands, and she was shaken at intervals by the convulsive hiccup of grief.
But he had no relief from laughter either, for it was the same he had just heard from the Sydney Duck, a sort of hiccup.
Lady Tabby Catson died soon after, leaving a handsome legacy to Mr. Hiccup, the surgeon.
Hullo, you young vaggybones,” he screeched out with a hiccup; “where be ye off ter now, hey?
She had meant to be such a good queen, she thought with a little choking hiccup.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse