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Hiccup Definition, Usage & Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1:spasmodic sound (hiccup)

hiccup 🔊
/ˈhɪkʌp/
n.
A sudden sound you make when air comes from your stomach through your mouth, often after eating or drinking.
Hiccup illustration showing a person experiencing a sudden involuntary spasm after a meal.
spasmodic sound 🔊
/spæzˈmɒdɪk saʊnd/
n.
An involuntary, spasmodic sound made by the sudden closure of the glottis following a spasm of the diaphragm.
📁 Category:Diet & Health 🔖 Level:Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation
Imitative in origin, from the sound 'hic'.
💡 Mnemonic
HICCUP spells 'Have I Ceased Chewing Unwisely?', linking the sound to its common cause.
📖 Example
He had a loud hiccup right after drinking the soda, which made him a bit embarrassed. 🔊 He produced a loud hiccup immediately after consuming the soda, causing him slight embarrassment.
🔗 Collocations
have a hiccup – to experience a hiccup
a bad case of the hiccups – a prolonged bout of hiccupping
get rid of hiccups – to stop hiccupping
🔄 Synonyms
burp (n.) – A noise made when air from the stomach comes out through the mouth, but typically louder and more voluntary.
singultus (n.) – The medical term for hiccups.
🚫 Antonyms
silence (n.) – The complete absence of sound.
🌱 Derivatives
hiccuping (v./n.) – The act of making hiccup sounds.
📖 Cultural Story
The metaphorical use of 'hiccup' to describe a minor, temporary problem is a common feature of modern business and tech jargon, frequently used in reports to downplay setbacks.

Meaning 2:minor glitch (hiccup)

hiccup 🔊
/ˈhɪkʌp/
n.
A small, temporary problem or delay that slows things down but is usually not serious.
Hiccup concept image depicting a temporary minor glitch or error on a laptop screen.
minor glitch 🔊
/ˈmaɪnə ɡlɪtʃ/
n.
A brief, minor, and usually temporary interruption or malfunction in a process or system.
📁 Category:Technological Inventions 🔖 Level:Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example
The launch of the new app went smoothly, with just a minor technical hiccup that was fixed in minutes. 🔊 The new app's deployment was successful overall, encountering only a small technical issue resolved quickly.
🔗 Collocations
experience a hiccup – to encounter a minor problem
a minor hiccup – a very small and insignificant problem
technical hiccup – a small problem related to technology
🔄 Synonyms
snag (n.) – An unexpected or hidden obstacle or drawback.
glitch (n.) – A sudden, usually temporary malfunction or irregularity, especially in a machine or system.
blip (n.) – An unexpected, minor, and typically temporary deviation from a general trend.
🚫 Antonyms
smooth sailing (n. phrase) – Progress that is easy and uninterrupted by problems.
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