Chairperson ignores cries from Oliver (6)
I believe the answer is:
orphan
'chairperson' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for orphan that I've seen before include "One who has lost both parents" , "No harp (anag.)" , "Perhaps a case for adopting" , "Child deprived by death of both parents" , "One standing alone" .)