Cryptic crossword clue
Universal replacing number in small parts ready to quarrel 9

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word FRACTIOUS

I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
F
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "ready to quarrel" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case ready to quarrel = fractious.
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 FRACTIOUS mean?

FRACTIOUS adjective
  1. Given to troublemaking.
  2. Irritable; argumentative; quarrelsome.

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