hiccough

English

Alternative forms

• hiccup
• hickup

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈhɪ.kəp/, /ˈhɪ.kʌp/

• Audio (UK):

  (file)

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈhɪ.kəp/, /ˈhɪ.kʌp/
• Rhymes: -ɪkəp
• Homophone: hiccup (RP)

Usage notes

Hiccough is a later spelling, and an example of folk etymology.

Noun

hiccough (plural hiccoughs)

1. (dated) Alternative spelling of hiccup

Derived terms

• hiccoughy

Translations

hiccup — see hiccup

Verb

hiccough (third-person singular simple present hiccoughs, present participle hiccoughing, simple past and past participle hiccoughed)

1. (dated) Alternative spelling of hiccup
   • 1899, Knut Hamsun, “Part II”, in George Egerton [pseudonym; Mary Chavelita Dunne Bright], transl., Hunger […], London: Leonard Smithers and Co […], →OCLC, page 87:

     I sat there, with tears in my eyes, and hiccoughed for breath, quite beside myself with feverish merriment.

Translations

hiccup — see hiccup