خُطْوَةٌ

A step, or pace, as meaning the space between the two feet [in walking or running]: plural (of pauc., S) خُطْوَاتٌ (S, Msb, K) and خُطُوَاتٌ and خُطَوَاتٌ (S, Msb) and (of mult., S) خُطًى. (S, Msb, K.) One says, قَرَّبَ اللّٰهُ عَلَيْكَ الخُطْوَةَ, meaning May God make short to thee the space, or distance. (TA.) And بَيْنَ القَوْلَيْنِ خُطٍى يَسِيرَةٌ (assumed tropical:) Between the two sayings is little difference. (TA.) لَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ, in the Qur'an, 2:163 &c.], means [Follow not ye] the ways of the Devil: (TA:) or the footsteps of the Devil: (JK:) here some read خُطْوَات; and some, according to Lth, خُطُوءَات, which Az pronounces to have no meaning. (TA.)