Crossword Genius

Pulse fast - 49? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lentil

'pulse' is the definition.
(type of pulse)

'fast 49?' is the wordplay.
'fast' becomes 'lent' (Lent is a period of fasting in Christianity).
'49?' becomes 'IL' (Roman numerals).
'lent'+'il'='LENTIL'

(Other definitions for lentil that I've seen before include "Pulse for soup etc" , "A legume, its seed" , "High-protein pulse" , "Pulse used in soup" , "'Seed, pulse (6)'" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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