41, 1A, 10 (seven words in total) is a description of a phenomenon. Remaining unclued lights, including one of two words and three of three words, either singly, paired or as a trio, form four examples of this phenomenon. All are confirmed in the ODQ (8th ed.)
Across
11 Leaf parts of liana ice destroyed (8)
12 Agreed drug hidden in grass must return (4)
13 Fish, internally cold and blue (4)
14 Split lip — scare for breathing orifice (8)
16 African statesman’s vengeance on criminals (6)
18 It’s complete in French flag (6)
20 With hi-hat, Mary’s beaten uneven beat (9)
21 In trouble, on digging into posh spread (7, three words)
22 After dessert, king’s in plane (6)
23 Seemingly good and bad, mostly like Esau? (6)
26 Dye a German put on reptile (7)
29 Sing that drunkenly around grand party (9, two words)
31 Poet, a fellow dissecting rodent (6)
32 Skilled poet did this? (6)
37 Latest art nouveau, art failing (8)
39 Person joining bank? (4)
40 Plant providing beer, neat in a cocktail (8, two words)
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