The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word NYMPHS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
N
Y
M
P
H
S
More clues leading to the result NYMPHS
- City speed beginning to scare the likes of Daphne
- American city street rates for voluptuous young women
- Stirring hymns about debut of pretty young women
- New York politician seen with his extremely beautiful girls
- River people in the finale of The Mission with Jeremy Irons ultimately gather in speed …
- Beautiful girls from US city with members outside hotel
- Young girls from American city high school entertaining politician
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "the likes of Daphne" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case the likes of daphne = nymphs.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does NYMPHS mean?
NYMPHS noun- (Greek, Roman) Any female nature spirit associated with water, forests, grotto, wind, etc.
- A young girl, especially one who is attractive, beautiful or graceful.
- The larva of certain insects.
- Any of various butterflies of the family Nymphalidae.