Six words (one with American spelling) read clockwise in sequence round the perimeter. Each of seventeen clues comprises a definition part and a hidden consecutive jumble of the answer including one extra letter; the extras spell a two-word definition of the perimeter words. Letters in corner squares and those adjacent to them could make STEPS RING, SA.
 

Across

11    Smooth unionist in reserve (5)
12    Bishop stops goblin making points (4)
13    Smart guy so out of practice (5)
14    Account full of force with a current language (7)
15    Port drunk ahead of opening nearly inducing numbness (10)
17    Confusion in final unit of information (5)
20    Creep through area in swamp (8)
21    Wise utterance after cool assessment (6)
23    Delay lesson, left out (4)
26    Group of eight little coins (5)
27    Thanks for each feeble light (5)
28    Play morose host (4)
30    Fine, strange medley (6)
31    General strike mostly around festival (8)
36    Blunt sailor scoffed (5)
38    Maintain required isolation (10)
39    Irregular hesitation with renegade in command (7)
40    Typical coup involving soldier (5)
41    Deal in vain (4)
42    Barrels survive explosion (5)
 

Down

2    Bad slip initially tasteless (7)
3    Sharp line in neat broadcast (10)
4    Shop amassing turnover (6)
5    Plant retaining gold colour (5)
6    Bottle old pain up in crowd (8)
7    Make harmless creature manageable (5)
8    Behind cloth, paper (5)
10    Join fine service (4)
16    Discern little entrance (5)
18    Burn map, short of time (4)
19    Describe aim to observe long-living organism (10)
22    Famous outfit (5)
24    Too fastidious in love with Romeo in Italian city (8)
25    Spirited look about colt (4)
29    Opposing aid, callously hostile (7)
32    Urge to follow fashion in shawl (6)
33    Obstruct party in intermediate stage (5)
34    Yearly number plate (5)
35    Right rural setting (5)
37    Temperature quite high (4)
 
A first prize of £30 for the first correct solution opened on 13 February. There are two runners-up prizes of £20. (UK solvers can choose to receive the latest edition of the Chambers dictionary instead of cash — ring the word ‘dictionary’.) Entries to: Crossword 2294, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery.