Defn: The native language of the Irish; that branch of the Celtic languages spoken by the natives of Ireland. Also adj.
HIBISCUS
Hi*bis"cus, n. Etym: [L., marsh mallow; cf. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of plants (herbs, shrubs, or trees), some species of which have large, showy flowers. Some species are cultivated in India for their fiber, which is used as a substitute for hemp. See Althea, Hollyhock, and Manoe.
HICCIUS DOCTIUS Hic"ci*us doc"ti*us. Etym: [Corrupted fr. L. hic est doctus this is a learned man.]
Defn: A juggler. [Cant] hocus pocus Hudibras.
HICCOUGH Hic"cough, n. Etym: [OE. hickup, hicket, hickock; prob. of imitative origin; cf. D. & Dan. hik, Sw. hicka, Armor. hak, hik, W. ig, F. hoquet.] (Physiol.)
Defn: 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.]
HICCOUGH
Hic"cough, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Hiccoughed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Hiccoughing.]
Defn: To have a hiccough or hiccoughs.
HICKORY Hick"o*ry, n. Etym: [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." J. H. Trumbull.] (Bot.)