Unclued lights provide three definitions each of a whole word and of its two syllables. Solvers should highlight the word where it appears on this page.

Across

1    In clinic came up against a barman (7)
6    Walker and cyclist on stone (7)
12    Polishes round back of altar in hallowed places (7)
14    Bird in casserole with two eggs? (5)
15    Stitch up salmon (5)
17    Not good, arguing about old Eurasian languages (6)
19    A label: ‘Pierce immediately’ (2,1,6)
21    Cattle pens leak regularly, I fume (7)
24    Nurses aim to treat swellings (9)
26    Metal and its symbol to use finally in somewhat decadent period (6,3)
29    A pain when my monarch is put out of African land (7)
32    One asks about sprays (6)
33    Assistant takes advantage of breaks (6)
35    Smell gold? That amuses the Yanks (5)
36    Forgetting name, chaff old woman perhaps (5)
37    Cross and tense, Duke’s deputy (7)
39    Disapprove of clubs; make certain to follow (7)
40    Drop out falling here, say, changing extra clothes (7)

Down

1    Spotted picture of fern stalk around public library (7)
2    Girl gets nothing out of Beethoven’s work (5)
3    Go to change (4)
4    Pronounces letter often dropped, like certain G&S characters (9)
5    Shrewd to topple statue (6)
6    Get up entertainment with beer – gallons (4,1,3)
7    Depression is hard for Rector to break (6)
8    Realise bin to be replaced is impossible to remove (10)
9    Fresh condition of the French clarets admitted (8)
13    Almost essential bird, a basic nutrient (7,1)
22    Make an escape: it’s no staycation (9)
23    Beggar once hit chap with broken bottle (8)
25    Grand inhaler, bubbling away (8)
26    Sort of poetry program welcome in special clubs (7)
27    Has-been’s dreadful portent of death (7)
31    Fruit drink from palm tree, very Italian (5)
34    Deserves to be spoken of as Ashes sites (4)

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A first prize of £30 and two runners-up prizes of £20 for the first correct solutions opened on 3 April. Please scan or photograph entries and email them (including the crossword number in the subject field) to crosswords@spectator.co.uk, or post to: Crossword 2596, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery. The dictionary prize is not available at present.