| OCTET | "Maids a-milking" group, e.g. |
| OCTADS | Maids a-milking groups |
| OCTAD | Such as a group of maids a-milking joining only child, little ’un |
| EIGHTH | Half a quarter day for maids a-milking? (6) |
| PAILBEARERS | Eight maids a-milking? |
| OCTETTE | Maids a-milking in song, e.g. |
| EIGHT | Number of maids-a-milking (5) |
| SAM | Boy perhaps, embraced by maids a-milking |
| CRICKET | A game traditionally played in whites with a willow bat on a village green or a ground with a pavilion; an orthopteran somewhat resembling a grasshopper; or, a milking stool (7) |
| DRESSER | Word, from "arrange, prepare", for a medieval table for meat/food prep first, later a kitchen sideboard; a lady's maid; a wardrobe assistant; a window trimmer; or, in America, a vanity (7) |
| PARLOUR | From "speak", an apartment set aside for conversation in a monastery or convent; a family sitting room; a milking shed; a snug in a pub; or, a shop selling ice cream or pizzas (7) |
| FANCLUB | Organised group of supporters of a celebrity or pop group, eg (3,4) |
| SCHISM | Division or disunion - within a religious group, eg (6) |
| MAIDS | Octet "a-milking" in a Christmas song |
| MAID | One of eight "a-milking" in a Christmas carol |
| MERCHANDISE | Products used to promote a film or pop group, eg (11) |
| HEYDAY | Period of greatest success - of a pop group, eg (6) |
| ENACTOR | Legislative group, eg |
| COHORT | Group, eg of soldiers or students (6) |
| AMAH | Old Asian maid a poor actor sent up |
