The answer to 9c For Instance, the disheartened mother's end in Madame Butterfly? (12) is, according to an earlier answer - MASTERSTROKE.
I can understand the wordplay but what is the definition?
The clue is an "&lit" wherein the clue is both all wordplay and all definition. A masterstroke is "an outstandingly skilful and opportune act; a person's cleverest move or device"; I suppose the clue refers to Cio-Cio San's suicide at the end of the opera, choosing to die with honor. It's a bit of a stretch.