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hiccup

The definition of a hiccup is an involuntary spasm of the diaphragm along with a rapid closure of the glottis that causes you to make an audible sound.

Causes of Hiccups

When you eat too fast
When you eat too much food
Consuming foods and drinks that are either too hot or too cold
Drinking soda and other carbonated beverages
Too much alcohol
Chain smoking
Stress
Sudden excitement
Cold showers
Entering or leaving a cold or hot room

Causes of Hiccups Over 48 Hours

Irritation or damage of the phrenic nerves which begin in the C3, C4 and C5 vertebrae (in the neck part of your spine) and serve the diaphragm muscle.
Infection, tumor or damage in the central nervous system such as meningitis, traumatic brain injury, stroke, encephalitis and multiple sclerosis.
Steroids, barbiturates, tranquilizers, anesthesia, diabetes, kidney failure, electrolyte imbalance, and alcoholism can all lead to prolonged hiccups.

Getting Rid of Hiccups

Drink two glasses of water
Hold your breath for 40 seconds
Breathe into a paper bag
Consume a pinch of sugar
Put an ice cube in your mouth
Breath fast and wait for a few minutes

(noun)

When you drink too much soda and your diaphragm spasms and you make a gasp-like sound, this is an example of a hiccup.

See hiccup in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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 ()

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

intransitive verb hiccuped or hiccupped, hiccuping or hiccupping

to make a hiccup or hiccups

transitive verb

to utter with hiccups

Also sp. hiccough

See hiccup in American Heritage Dictionary 4

also hic·cough

noun

a. A spasm of the diaphragm resulting in a rapid, involuntary inhalation that is stopped by the sudden closure of the glottis and accompanied by a sharp, distinctive sound.
b. hiccups also hiccoughs An attack of these spasms. Often used with the.
The sound made by such a spasm or a sound resembling it: “the urgent hiccup of a police siren” (John Updike).