Crossword Puzzle

a cryptic puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

Eight unclued lights (i.e., diagram entries) have something in common. Clue answers include three proper nouns. Punctuation in the clues may be used deceptively

Across

  • 1.
    British-Englishman's crossword? (6)
  • 5.
    David’s one star—it is singular (6)
  • 10.
    Don’t start cooking—diners do it (6)
  • 11.
    Corrects me, within limits (6)
  • 12.
    Horse pirate (6)
  • 13.
    Swiftly pass over mile, trailing runner (4)
  • 14.
    Border patrol’s leader is some dope (4)
  • 16.
    A particular distortion of time (4)
  • 17.
    Fixes toilets, oddly (4)
  • 19.
    Feed quietly with King in Spain (4)
  • 24.
    Lead character in play to incite applause (6)
  • 25.
    Official conflict study (6)
  • 26.
    What’s inside gives satisfaction (8)
  • 28.
    Gab about unfinished clue (4)
  • 29.
    Lunkhead and halfwit don’t work (4)
  • 31.
    Ordinary prostitute (4)
  • 32.
    Smooth-talking head of gay liberation (4)
  • 33.
    To emerge partly equal (4)
  • 34.
    Run water (4)
  • 37.
    Old counselor could get no rest (6)
  • 38.
    Inquiry: how does a monarch pose? (6)
  • 39.
    Property of Energy, say (6)
  • 40.
    Pointers, e.g., about fashionable actions (6)
  • 41.
    He was a mimic and made a pile (6)

Down

  • 1.
    What initiates berry gathering (3)
  • 2.
    Mammal’s escape heard (4)
  • 3.
    Dance tune falls apart after one note (6)
  • 4.
    Native’s death: diseased mice (7)
  • 6.
    In the morning you might hear this ring—in table (7)
  • 7.
    Heartless keeper of jail bird (6)
  • 8.
    Mightily close to getting every trick (4)
  • 9.
    Figure it’s a way of catching up (3)
  • 15.
    Throws hangers (4)
  • 18.
    Promised hugs, dance, having been on the shelf too long (8)
  • 19.
    Paternal? Perhaps! (8)
  • 20.
    Historian’s half-dull fustian (6)
  • 21.
    Torn clothes, half-sewn, making you feel indignant (6)
  • 22.
    Acid hustler (4)
  • 23.
    What’s all over us is put out of sight (4)
  • 26.
    Rob from the cradle? (4)
  • 27.
    Finally alter slow trudge (4)
  • 28.
    Sound made by a Greek idiot (6)
  • 30.
    Fickle Fate is having a holiday (6)
  • 33.
    Grapes of Wrath has currency (4)
  • 35.
    Sound of the surf’s repetition (4)
  • 36.
    About a dead louse (3)