obstructed; to fail; to oppress; to repress; to lower the tone; to bend back; to dampen

a transition (stop and change) in spoken sound, music or in brush strokes; a cadence; punctuated by a transition; with syncopated cadence (brush stroke in painting)

(of sales, prices etc) to fall; to drop; decline; slump

to win as a result of tenacious effort; to fight off tough competition

to frustrate; to inhibit; to make things difficult

devastating setback; slump (in stock market etc); crushing defeat; to cause a serious setback; to plummet

see 頓挫抑揚|顿挫抑扬[dun4 cuo4 yi4 yang2]