Nuns cycled meadow, essentially out of habit (6)
I believe the answer is:
unclad
'out of habit' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for unclad that I've seen before include "Uncovered" , "having abandoned habit" , "Naked" , "In one's birthday suit" , "with nothing on" .)