HICCOUGH

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does hiccough mean? 

• HICCOUGH (noun)
  The noun HICCOUGH has 1 sense:

1. (usually plural) the state of having reflex spasms of the diaphragm accompanied by a rapid closure of the glottis producing an audible sound; sometimes a symptom of indigestion

  Familiarity information: HICCOUGH used as a noun is very rare.

• HICCOUGH (verb)
  The verb HICCOUGH has 1 sense:

1. breathe spasmodically, and make a sound

  Familiarity information: HICCOUGH used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HICCOUGH (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(usually plural) the state of having reflex spasms of the diaphragm accompanied by a rapid closure of the glottis producing an audible sound; sometimes a symptom of indigestion

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

hiccough; hiccup; singultus

Context example:

how do you cure the hiccups?

Hypernyms ("hiccough" is a kind of...):

inborn reflex; innate reflex; instinctive reflex; physiological reaction; reflex; reflex action; reflex response; unconditioned reflex (an automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus)

symptom ((medicine) any sensation or change in bodily function that is experienced by a patient and is associated with a particular disease)

Domain usage:

plural; plural form (the form of a word that is used to denote more than one)

Derivation:

hiccough (breathe spasmodically, and make a sound)

• HICCOUGH (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they hiccough    ... he / she / it hiccoughs   
Past simple: hiccoughed   
Past participle: hiccoughed   
-ing form: hiccoughing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Breathe spasmodically, and make a sound

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Synonyms:

hiccough; hiccup

Context example:

When you have to hiccup, drink a glass of cold water

Hypernyms (to "hiccough" is one way to...):

breathe; respire; suspire; take a breath (draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

hiccough ((usually plural) the state of having reflex spasms of the diaphragm accompanied by a rapid closure of the glottis producing an audible sound; sometimes a symptom of indigestion)

 Context examples 

They might ring for fresh wine at what hour they liked, they always found me waiting and ready, so that this young captain hiccoughed out that I was the model of all valets.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

As he came slouching across the lawn I heard Mr. Trevor make a sort of hiccoughing noise in his throat, and jumping out of his chair, he ran into the house.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Prisoners and captors hiccoughed on one another’s shoulders, and swore mighty oaths of respect and esteem.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

But he wasn't, for the moment his father peeped at him, Demi's eyes opened, his little chin began to quiver, and he put up his arms, saying with a penitent hiccough, "Me's dood, now."

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

I put my arms about her to console her, but she wept so that, for all my seventeen years and pride of manhood, it set me weeping also, and with such a hiccoughing noise, since I had not a woman’s knack of quiet tears, that it finally turned her own grief to laughter.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)