The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word RANCOUR
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
R
A
N
C
O
U
R
More clues leading to the result RANCOUR
- Bitterness of private, reportedly
- Managed most of trial venue in spite
- Managed to bring about endless resentment
- Bitterness controlled French heart but not English
- Dictator's private bitterness
- Lutheran court full of bitterness
- Enmity encountered in Tehran courthouse
- Ill-feeling spread, attaching to most of monarch’s circle
- Voiced private resentment
- Iran court’s endless hostility
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "spite" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case spite = rancour.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does RANCOUR mean?
RANCOUR noun- The deepest malignity or spite; deep-seated enmity or malice; inveterate hatred.