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)

hiccuped, hiccupped, hiccuping, hiccupping. 

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. Technical name: singultus. a spasm of the diaphragm producing a sudden breathing in followed by a closing of the glottis, resulting in a sharp sound

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

If there always seems to be a hiccup when he is in charge of plans, that might mean that he isn’t the most responsible person.

Read more on MarketWatch

The sales growth has offset hiccups in China.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

And Maggie has lost her medical license due to a hiccup of bad judgment on her part.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

What’s unfolding before our eyes will eventually tell us if we are living at the beginning of another clampdown or a mere hiccup in a prolonged cabaret.

Read more on Salon

Tesla is also in the race to scale autonomous technology with its robotaxi service, which launched in Austin in June and has faced several hiccups.

Read more on Los Angeles Times