Crossword Genius

Will make a splash, he contends (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spatter

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'will make a splash he contends' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how they can define each other.

'he contends' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'he' could be 'pat' (I've seen this before) and 'pat' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ster' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for spatter that I've seen before include "shower" , "Cover with droplets" , "Set part (anag.)" , "spray" , "Sprinkle" .)

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