hiccup

¹hic·cup

noun \ˈhi-(ˌ)kəp\

Definition of HICCUP

1

: a spasmodic inhalation with closure of the glottis accompanied by a peculiar sound

2

: an attack of hiccuping —usually used in plural but singular or plural in construction

3

a : a slight irregularity, error, or malfunction <a few hiccups in the computer system>

b : a usually minor and short-lived interruption or disruption, or change <a hiccup in the stock market>

Variants of HICCUP

hic·cup also hic·cough \ˈhi-(ˌ)kəp\

Examples of HICCUP

1. Our computer problems were caused by a hiccup in the power supply.
2. The stock market has continued to rise, except for a slight hiccup earlier this month.

Origin of HICCUP

imitative

First Known Use: circa 1580

Related to HICCUP

Synonyms

discontinuity, hiatus, gap (also hiccough), interim, interlude, intermission, interregnum, interruption, interstice, interval, parenthesis

Antonyms

continuation, continuity

Related Words

caesura, comma, interspace, lag, pause, space, time lag, window; entr'acte; bumper; adjournment, discontinuance, lapse, suspension; lull, recess, respite, rest; subinterval

Near Antonyms

continuum, run, stretch; procession, progression

Rhymes with HICCUP

act up, add up, backup, back up, balls-up, ball up, bang-up, bear up, beat-up, belt up, bid up, blowup, blow up, bone up, bound up, breakup, break up, bring up, brush up, buck up, buildup, build up, built-up, bulk up, bung up, buy up, call-up, catch-up, chalk up, checkup, chin-up, choose up, clam up, cleanup, clean up, close-up, cock-up, come up, cough up, crack-up, cry up, curl up, cutup, cut up, dial-up, dig up, doll up, do up, draw up, dream up, dress up, dried-up, drive-up, drum up, dry up, dustup, eggcup, eyecup, faceup, face up, fed up, feel up, fetch up, fill-up, fix up, flare-up, foul-up, foul up, frame-up, fry-up, gang up, gear up, getup, get up, give up, go up, grade up, grown-up, grow up, hand up, hang-up, hang up, hard up, heads-up, hepped up, het up, hitch up, holdup, hold up, hole up, hookup, hook up, hopped-up, hot up, hung up, hyped-up, jack-up, jam-up, juice up, keep up, kickup, kick up, kingcup, knock up, lash-up, lead-up, leg up, letup, let up, lie up, line up, linkup, lit up, lockup, lookup, look up, louse up, made-up, makeup, make up, markup, matchup, mix-up, mixed-up, mock-up, mop-up, muck up, mug up, nip-up, one-up, pass up, pasteup, pay up, pickup, pick up, pileup, pinup, pipe up, play up, pop-up, post up, press-up, pull-up, pump up, punch-up, push-up, put-up, rack up, rake up, re-up, ring up, roll up, roundup, round up, rub up, run-up, scare up, screwup, screw up, send-up, setup, set up, sew up, shack up, shake-up, shape-up, shape up, shook-up, shoot up, show up, shut up, sign up, sit-up, size up, slap-up, slipup, slip up, smashup, souped-up, soup up, speak up, speedup, spiffed-up, spit up, stack up, stand-up, start-up, steam up, step up, stepped-up, stickup, stick up, stink up, strike up, stuck-up, sum up, sunup, tag up, take up, talk up, tart up, teacup, tear up, throw up, thumbs-up, tie-up, top up, toss-up, touch-up, trade up, trumped-up, tune-up, turn up, use up, wait up, walk-up, warm-up, washed-up, washup, windup, wised-up, workup, work up, wrap-up, write-up

²hiccup

intransitive verb

hic·cuped also hic·cuppedhic·cup·ing also hic·cup·ping

Definition of HICCUP

: to make a hiccup; also : to be affected with hiccups

Variants of HICCUP

hiccup also hiccough

First Known Use of HICCUP

circa 1580

hiccup

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm that causes a sudden breath in, cut off when the vocal cords snap together, creating the characteristic sound. Causes include overdistended stomach, gastric irritation, and nerve spasms. The many folk remedies for hiccups interrupt the rhythm of the spasms. The most common and effective treatment is to hold the breath as long as possible. Hiccups usually stop within minutes, though they may last days, weeks, or longer. Prolonged severe hiccups are treated with nerve blocks or by surgically cutting the nerve that supplies the diaphragm.