Expressed contempt in petty quarrel (4)
I believe the answer is:
spat
I believe this is a double definition.
'expressed contempt' is the first definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'petty quarrel' is the second definition.
(spat can mean a silly argument)
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for spat that I've seen before include "Gestured with contempt" , "Made gesture of contempt" , "Unimportant quarrel between Pats" , "Ejected saliva from the mouth" , "Legging covering instep and ankles" .)