Board to name organisms drifting at sea (8)

I believe the answer is:

plankton

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'organisms drifting at sea' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'board to name' is the wordplay.
'board' becomes 'plank' (synonyms).
'name' becomes 'n' (common abbreviation e.g. on forms).
'plank'+'to'+'n'='PLANKTON'

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(Other definitions for plankton that I've seen before include "Simple marine life" , "Whale food" , "Diminutive drifter" , "Drifters in the sea" , "Whale's staple diet" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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