Crossword Genius

Obliged, we hear, to supply tabulated item (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tide

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'item' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how one could define the other.

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tide that I've seen before include "(With time) it waits for no man" , "Ocean movement" , "Current, ebb" , "Periodic water movement" , "Powerful surge" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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