One gives little squirt split byline (4)
I believe the answer is:
vial
'squirt split byline' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.
'one gives little' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'one' could be 'i' (Roman numeral) and 'i' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'val' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for vial that I've seen before include "Not much bottle" , "Small bottle used for medicines, laboratory work, etc" , "Bottle that contains a drug" , "Small medicine bottle" , "Small glass container" .)