It naturally beats peas and beans (5)

I believe the answer is:

pulse

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'it naturally beats peas and beans' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

This is all the clue.

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(Other definitions for pulse that I've seen before include "Heartbeat; legume" , "Sign of life" , "Arterial throb" , "regular bodily motion!" , "runner, possibly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph and The Guardian.

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