Cathy isn't exactly the spiteful type! (5)
I believe the answer is:
catty
'type' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for catty that I've seen before include "Spiteful in feline way" , "Mean and spiteful" , "Backbiting" , "Bitchy as a feline" , "Malicious" .)