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Commonly, Norseman underestimating tides, primarily? (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cnut

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'commonly norseman underestimating tides primarily?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'commonly norseman underestimating tides primarily?' is the wordplay.
'primarily?' indicates taking the first letters (I've seen 'primarily' mean this).
The initial letters of 'commonly norseman underestimating tides' is 'CNUT'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cnut that I've seen before include "Anglo-Danish king (C, not K)" , "who demonstrated his limited powers?" , "King of Denmark, England and Norway" , "Ancient royal" , "Ancient king" .)

I've seen this clue in The Everyman puzzle in The Observer.
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