| hiccough | <physiology> 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. Alternative forms: hickup or hiccup. Origin: OE. Hickup, hicket, hickock; prob. Of imitative origin; cf. D. & Dan. Hik, Sw. Hicka, Armor. Hak, hik, W. Ig, F. Hoquet. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| hiccup | A diaphragmatic spasm causing a sudden inhalation which is interrupted by a spasmodic closure of the glottis, producing a noise. (05 Mar 2000) |
| hiccups | Spasmodic contractions of the diaphragm that are involuntary and often rhythmic. Usually just a minor nuisance, prolonged hiccups can become a major problem. (12 Dec 1998) |
| hickman catheter | central venous catheter |
| hickman line | <equipment> A narrow plastic tube which is inserted, under anaesthetic, into a major blood vessel in the chest. It is used for patients undergoing intensive therapy and provides a route for taking blood samples and administering drugs without repeated needle puncture of a vein. (13 Nov 1997) |
| hickory | <botany> An American tree of the genus Carya, of which there are several species. The shagbark is the C. Alba, and has a very rough bark; it affords the hickory nut of the markets. The pignut, or brown hickory, is the C. Glabra. The swamp hickory is C. Amara, having a nut whose shell is very thin and the kernel bitter. Hickory shad. <zoology> The mattowacca, or fall herring. The gizzard shad. Origin: North American Indian pawcohiccora (Capt. J. Smith) a kind of milk or oily liquor pressed from pounded hickory nuts. "Pohickory" is named in a list of Virginia trees, in 1653, and this was finally shortened to "hickory.". Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Hicks, John Braxton | <person> See: Braxton Hicks. (05 Mar 2000) |
| hickway | The lesser spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopus minor) of Europe. Origin: OE, also hyghwhele, highawe. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |