noun

1. 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
2. a condition characterized by repeated contractions of this kind
3. 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 hiccuped -·cuped′ or hiccupped -·cupped′, hiccuping -·cup′·ing or hiccupping -·cup′·ping

transitive verb