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Occasional sort of table? (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

periodical

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'table?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.

'occasional sort' is the wordplay.
'occasional' becomes 'periodic' (I've seen this before).
'sort' becomes 'al' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'periodic'+'al'='PERIODICAL'

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for periodical that I've seen before include "Publication" , "Newspaper" , "Magazine" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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