Library / English Dictionary

HICCOUGH

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (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

Example:

how do you cure the hiccups?

Synonyms:

hiccough; hiccup; singultus

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

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)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Breathe spasmodically, and make a sound

Example:

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

Synonyms:

hiccough; hiccup

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

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)

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