Crossword Genius

Daphne paid regularly in advance (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ahead

'in advance' is the definition.
('ahead' can be a synonym of 'in advance')

'daphne paid regularly' is the wordplay.
'regularly' means one should take alternating letters (regularly take one letter, leave next etc.).
'daphne'+'paid'='daphnepaid'
The alternating letters of 'daphnepaid' are 'AHEAD'.

(Other definitions for ahead that I've seen before include "In the future" , "at pole" , "In the leading position" , "likely to win?" , "advanced" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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