| ESSAY | Word originally meaning trial, test or attempt; or, later due to the works of Michel de Montaigne, an analytical literary composition (5) |
| ESSAYS | Output of Michel de Montaigne |
| ATFOLSOMPRISON | After smashing up the stage lights during a 1965 Opry performance, Johnny Cash was allowed back three years later due to the success of this 1968 live album |
| ELDEST | First-born of Michel de Stengel (6) |
| BETA | Software trial, - test |
| KLEE | A museum in Bern is dedicated to the works of this Swiss artist |
| ADAIR | Gilbert who wrote 1980s sequels to the works of Lewis Carroll and J.M. Barrie |
| RENOUNCE | What prospective godparents do to the works of Satan? (8) |
| TREAT | Word originally meaning "negotiate" and "discuss a subject", later a source of gratification such as a pleasure excursion, something choice to eat or entertainment for a guest (5) |
| STAB | A thrust with an epee, finger, foil etc; an attempt or try; an unpleasant pang; or, a single quick note or "hit" by a group of horns or a keyboard (4) |
| BERTH | Word originally meaning "sea room" or space to manoeuvre, later a ship's allotted spot at a wharf; or, a sailor's bunk (5) |
| QUOTE | Word originally meaning to mark a book with chapter numbers or references, later to cite a person/text; or, enclose within inverted commas (5) |
| GENIUS | Word originally meaning "divinity, guardian spirit" or "talent, wit", later a person of consummate intellect or of exceptional creative power (6) |
| ESSAYING | Writers of the short dissertation-like compositions originated by Michel de Montaigne around 1580-88 (8) |
| OFFER | A proposal of marriage; a bid or tender; an attempt or essay; or, a specially reduced price (5) |
| LIMN | From "cast light on", word originally meaning "illuminate a manuscript with ornamental letters", later "draw or paint in watercolours", "suffuse or highlight" or "describe in painting or words" (4) |
| ARBITRAL | Relating to the work of a referee, or a negotiator |
| RECORD | From the Latin for "heart", a word originally meaning "call to mind, learn by heart", later any chronicle, log, memorandum or register (6) |
| ROAST | Word originally meaning to cook before an open fire, later to cook (meat or vegetables) in an oven (5) |
| EVADE | "We must learn to suffer what we cannot ___": Michel de Montaigne (5) |
