Work backwards - licit, eccentric and sensible (7)
I believe the answer is:
politic
'sensible' is the definition.
(politic can mean sensible or wise)
'work backwards licit eccentric' is the wordplay.
'work' becomes 'op' (common abbreviation for 'opus').
'backwards' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'eccentric' is an anagram indicator.
'op' backwards is 'po'.
'licit' is an anagram of 'litic'.
'po'+'litic'='POLITIC'
'and' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for politic that I've seen before include "Intriguing" , "Sensible, judicious" , "Prudent, discreet" , "constitutional" , "Prudent, judicious" .)