(also hic·cough ) / ˈhɪkʌp; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ C ] a sharp, usually repeated, sound made in the throat, that is caused by a sudden movement of the diaphragm and that you cannot control :
She gave a loud hiccup.
2.
(the) hiccups [ pl. ] a series of hiccups :
I ate too quickly and got hiccups.
He had the hiccups.
3.
[ C ] ( informal ) a small problem or temporary delay :
There was a slight hiccup in the timetable.
■ verb
[ v ] to have hiccups or a single hiccup
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WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent.: imitative; the form hiccough arose by association with cough .