Hic"cough (?; 277), n. [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.]

Hic"cough (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Hiccoughed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Hiccoughing.] To have a hiccough or hiccoughs.

• Older alternative spelling of hiccup (noun and verb).