Crossword Genius

Weird rites, secretive veils - like nuns? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sisterly

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'weird' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'rites secretive veils like nuns?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
an anagram of 'rites' is 'ister' which is located in the answer.
'secretive' could be 'sly' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'sly' is found in the remaining letters.
No letters remain.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sisterly that I've seen before include "Like a female relative" , "I try less (anag.)" , "The counterpart of brotherly" , "relatively close" , "To do with one's female sibling" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app