Seven items of a kind read clockwise round the perimeter. In ten clues, cryptic indications omit reference to parts of answers; these parts must be highlighted, to reveal a definition of the perimeter items. Letters in corner squares and those adjacent to them could form WADERS, NOT OLD.
Across
11 Spirit and ogre in retreat talk dismally (5)
12 Stooge deserted after charge (4)
13 Revolutionary failure to capture current head (5)
14 Soul in small room following international game (7)
15 Insect holding attention around greenery in magnolia (10, hyphened)
17 Peasant, young, having day off (5)
20 Judge stopping song when nastily discounting singular artist (8, two words)
21 Digits in this way divided by doctor (6)
23 Award to drop over cliff (4)
26 Band in drama cutting turf (5)
27 Digger, first to last, unarmed (5)
28 Look on area between eye and bill (4)
30 Great number for example enthralled by object of interest (6)
31 Curved implement cut round weed (8)
36 Laughable ruler turned and left (5)
38 Euphoric about initiation rite worked out in detail (10)
39 Ridge in row around strange lake (7)
40 Wild ass in Baku languishing (5)
41 Inclination to discard soft fruit (4)
42 Length in celebrated chain (5)
Down
2 Odd island mass in watery part (7)
3 Class of plants, because eaten by lemur, absent (10)
4 Amount round skin blemish (6)
5 German league without special cup (5)
6 Minister carrying electronic receiver (8)
7 Arbiter, variable, elevated once in company (5)
8 Real working ovens (5)
10 Hooks up during romantic number (4)
16 Bend wing, front part (5)
18 Container near...
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in