2336: Irrelevant

Each of four unclued lights is the result of an action that may be described as 7 (hyphened), a definition of which is supplied by an unclued light. One unclued light is the result of 39 (a three-word phrase confirmed in Chambers under its third word). Elsewhere, ignore an accent.
 

Across

1  Commercial projects including no charge for accessories (8)

8  Parties without tense moments (4)

11  Cut capers, excited to get mortarboards (12, two words)

12  Superfluous middle part in speech (5)

14  Very hot fuel in heap (7)

16  Radical in revolutionary league (4)

17  Music, tiny portion by Georgia (5)

18  Diagram of interactions absent in English school (6)

22  Following escape, abandoned by bishop, get angry (8, two words)

23  Hamper with cover, about right for seller’s wares (7)

24  Stronger carpenter’s chisel (6)

25 Initiate accepted during meal (6)

27  Being after quick fixes (7)

29  Track from new terminal (8)

33  Gang led by nut in repetition of performance (6)

34  Behind a nest, fluttering (5)

35  Song they amend, leaving odd bits out (4)

37  Call with warning, having no love for bookmakers (7)

38  Conducted talk, not at farm (5)

40  Head east to stop outlaw (4)

41  Wine seized by peevish tax assessor (8)
 

Down

1  A pretty loch indeed in Scotland (6)

2  Kite dropping on lorry (4)

3  Wild time in united clan (6)

4  Food outside apparently less expensive (7)

8  Spread out and perform under sun (5)

9  Suitable prisoner with energy guarded by soldier (9)

15  Acts, icy calm, designed to be devastating (11)

19  Promotion prior to tumult (10)

20  Study enthralling field, not a disappointment (8)

21  Merit in base I prepared for sauce (9)

26  Silence broken by man supporting good chief (7)

28  Poet’s tame last word on duration of life (7)

31  Weak anaesthetic for sheep (6)

32  Using no animal produce for example in vehicle (5)

36  Colour in large crustacean (4)
 
A first prize of £30 for the first correct solution opened on 4 December.