Type or pen a couple of letters (5)
I believe the answer is:
style
'type' is the definition.
(style can mean a type or variety of something)
'pen a couple of letters' is the wordplay.
'a couple of letters' can mean two replacements for 'letter'.
'pen' becomes 'sty' (both can mean an animal enclosure).
'letter' becomes 'l' ().
'letter' becomes 'e'.
'sty'+'l'+'e'='STYLE'
'or' is the link.
(Other definitions for style that I've seen before include "name" , "Fashion - flair" , "Vogue or grace" , "Chic" , "Refinement" .)