1.
A ~ is a short period of rest from something unpleasant. (FORMAL)
It was some weeks now since they had had any ~ from shellfire.
N-SING: also no det, oft N from n
2.
A ~ is a short delay before a very unpleasant or difficult situation which may or may not take place. (FORMAL)
Devaluation would only give the economy a brief ~.
= reprieve
N-SING: also no det