hiccup

hiccup Definition

hic·cup (hik′up′, -əp)

noun

a sudden, involuntary contraction of the diaphragm when it begins to allow air into the lungs only to have the glottis suddenly close, producing an abrupt sound
a condition characterized by repeated contractions of this kind
Chiefly Brit., Informal a difficulty, problem, or setback, usually a minor one; hitch ()

Etymology: altered < Early ModE hikop, hickock, hicket, of echoic orig. (as also in MDu huckup): var. sp. from assoc. with cough

intransitive verb -·cuped′ or -·cupped′, -·cup′·ing or -·cup′·ping

to make a hiccup or hiccups

transitive verb

to utter with hiccups

hiccup Usage Examples

Converse of object

cause: Now we believe that the blast is followed by a violent case of the hiccups caused by the new black hole!
have: We have had a hiccup, a log jam which involves ' artistic ' sub-contractors who are slightly behind on deadlines.
get: Another wild party ensues with Charlie swallowing a whistle and getting hiccups at the same time.
overcome: Armed with this information you were in a better position to overcome any hiccups you could have encountered on your trip.
avoid: To avoid any future hiccups please phone/e-mail me for current events.
experience: Recently I experienced a major hiccup which didn't become a slump.

Adjective modifier

flowery: Follow this link for the full feature article: The flowery hiccup.
slight: RUGBY Under 12 XV Despite a slight hiccup in the last two matches the team had a successful season.
minor: Despite the minor hiccup of John, our cox, sleeping through his alarm clock we all made it to Lincoln on time.
occasional: I'm ticking along quite well now apart from the occasional hiccup which we all have from time to time.
odd: Apart from the odd hiccup Project Gutenberg's stuff wraps nicely in my Palm Pilot.
few: There have been a good few hiccups along the way not least the closure of Paper back in 2003.

Preposition: on

Preposition: during

lesson: The software is extremely stable on all platforms, so there are no embarrassing computer hiccups during lessons.

Noun used with modifier

minute: Give yourself plenty of time to reach the church or registrar and always allow for the last minute hiccup.
computer: The software is extremely stable on all platforms, so there are no embarrassing computer hiccups during lessons.

Preposition: in

process: Sometimes there are, obviously, hiccups in the process of keeping ourselves informed.

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