عَثْرَةٌ
2.
And [hence,] (tropical:) A slip, lapse, fault, wrong action, or mistake; (S, O, Msb, TA;) so called as being a fall into sin or crime. (Msb.) One says, أَقَالَ اللّٰهُ عَثْرَتَكَ (tropical:) [May God cancel thy slip, lapse, fault, &c.]. (A.) And it is said in a tradition, لَا حَلِيمَ إِلَّا ذُو عَثْرَةٍ i. e. (tropical:) There is no one to be characterized as of a forbearing disposition except he be one who has committed a slip, and becomes admonished thereby, distinguishing the occasions of error so as to avoid them [and to make allowance for others who have done the like]. (TA.)
3.
And (assumed tropical:) War, or fight, against unbelievers or others; because war, or fight, is an occasion of frequent stumbling, or tripping: so in a tradition, in which it is said, لَا تَبْدَأْهُمْ بِالعَثْرَةِ (assumed tropical:) [Begin not ye with them by war]; meaning invite ye them first to El-Islám or to the payment of the poll-tax; and if they assent not, then have recourse to war. (TA.)