Crossword Genius

Beat a lentil, say (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pulse

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'beat' is the definition.
(pulsing is a kind of beating)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pulse that I've seen before include "Bean - throb" , "Vegetable (taken by doctors?)" , "Rhythmic throbbing" , "Sign of life" , "It beats - peas and beans" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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