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Webster 1913 Edition
Hiccough
Hic′cough
(?; 277)
, Noun.
[OE.
hickup
, hicket
, hickock
; prob. of imitative origin; cf. D. & Dan. hik
, Sw. hicka
, Armor. hak
, hik
, W. ig
, F. hoquet
.] (Physiol.)
A modified respiratory movement; a spasmodic inspiration, consisting of a sudden contraction of the diaphragm, accompanied with closure of the glottis, so that further entrance of air is prevented, while the impulse of the column of air entering and striking upon the closed glottis produces a sound, or hiccough.
[Written also
hickup
or hiccup.] Hic′cough
,Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Hiccoughed
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Hiccoughing
.] To have a hiccough or hiccoughs.
Webster 1828 Edition
Hiccough
HIC'COUGH
Definition 2024
hiccough
hiccough
English
Alternative forms
Usage notes
hiccough is a later spelling, and an example of folk etymology.
Noun
hiccough (plural hiccoughs)
- Alternative spelling of hiccup
Translations
hiccup — see hiccup
Verb
hiccough (third-person singular simple present hiccoughs, present participle hiccoughing, simple past and past participle hiccoughed)
- (dated) Alternative spelling of hiccup
- 1899, Knut Hamsun, Hunger, translated by George Egerton, Part II, page 87
- I sat there, with tears in my eyes, and hiccoughed for breath, quite beside myself with feverish merriment.
- 1899, Knut Hamsun, Hunger, translated by George Egerton, Part II, page 87
Translations
hiccup — see hiccup