Hardy character clutches gospel regularly, having removed hair shirt? (7)
I believe the answer is:
topless
'removed hair shirt?' is the definition.
The answer and definition are different parts of speech. However, adjectives and past participle verbs can sometimes mean the same thing.
'hardy character clutches gospel regularly' is the wordplay.
'hardy character' becomes 'tess' (I've seen this in another clue).
'clutches' is an insertion indicator.
'regularly' means one should take alternating letters (regularly take one letter, leave next etc.).
The alternating letters of 'gospel' are 'opl'.
'tess' going around 'opl' is 'TOPLESS'.
'having' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for topless that I've seen before include "As a Page Three girl?" , "Bare from the waist up" , "Half naked" , "Without a shirt, vest or bra?" , "Wearing no clothing above the waist" .)