What a disdainful person did in argument (4)

I believe the answer is:

spat

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'argument' is the definition.
(a spat is a disagreement or argument)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spat that I've seen before include "Petty quarrel or fight" , "Small quarrel between Pats" , "Observed" , "Quarrel; oyster spawn" , "Spoke violently" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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