The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 3 letter word PEN
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
P
E
N
More clues leading to the result PEN
- Word often accompanying name for cage
- Author is Pound
- Author lifting a piece of Spenser
- Writer put in cage
- Someone like Cratchit an assistant in swan-upping?
- Without limits, invest in pound
- Author can stall
- Clerk one to provide assistance in swan-upping?
- Bored clerk shut up dealer
- Lock up suppliers of drugs and boring writers
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "pound" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case pound = pen.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 PEN mean?
PEN noun- An enclosure (enclosed area) used to contain domesticated animals, especially sheep or cattle.
- A prison cell.
- The bullpen.
- To enclose in a pen.
- A tool, originally made from a feather but now usually a small tubular instrument, containing ink used to write or make marks.
- A writer, or his style.
- Marks of ink left by a pen.
- A light pen.
- The internal cartilage skeleton of a squid, shaped like a pen.
- A feather, especially one of the flight feathers of a bird, angel etc.
- A wing.
- To write (an article, a book, etc.).
- A female swan.
- Penalty.