different between hiccup vs hiccoughs

English

Alternative forms

• hiccough (old-fashioned)
• hickup

Etymology

Alteration of earlier hickock, from hic (onomatopoeic) + -ock (diminutive suffix). Akin to Dutch hik (“hiccup”), Low German hick (“hiccup”), Danish hikke (“hiccup”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?h?k?p/, /?h?k?p/
• Hyphenation: hic?cup

Noun

hiccup (plural hiccups)

1. A spasm of the diaphragm, or the resulting sound.

   There was a loud hiccup from the back of the room and the class erupted in laughter.

2. (by extension) Any spasm or sudden change.
3. (informal) A minor setback.

   There's been a slight hiccup in the processing of this quarter's results.

Hypernyms

• (spasm of the diaphragm): myoclonus

Translations

See also

• hiccups

Verb

hiccup (third-person singular simple present hiccups, present participle hiccuping or hiccupping, simple past and past participle hiccuped or hiccupped)

1. (intransitive) To produce a hiccup; have the hiccups.
2. (transitive) To say with a hiccup.

   "I haven't touched a drop, officer," the suspect hiccupped.

3. (intransitive) To produce an abortive sound like a hiccup.

   The car engine hiccupped but wouldn't start.

Translations

English

Noun

hiccoughs

1. plural of hiccough