Small party conflict (8)
I believe the answer is:
skirmish
This clue might be a double definition.
'small' is the first definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how one could define the other.
'conflict' is the second definition.
(I know that skirmish is a type of combat)
'party' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for skirmish that I've seen before include "Minor fight or conflict" , "Encounter" , "Scrap" , "Minor short-term fight" , "offensive" .)