Hic"cough [OE. hickup, hicket, hickock; prob. of imitative origin; cf. D. & Dan. hik, Sw. hicka, Armor. hak, hik, W. ig, F. hoquet.] Physiol.
A modified respiratory movement; a spasmodic inspiration, consisting of a sudden contraction of the diaphragm, accompanied with closure of the glottis, so that further entrance of air is prevented, while the impulse of the column of air entering and striking upon the closed glottis produces a sound, or hiccough.
[Written also
hickup or hiccup.]
© Webster 1913.
Hic"cough (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Hiccoughed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Hiccoughing.]
To have a hiccough or hiccoughs.
© Webster 1913.