Small ambition absorbs gentle person (4)
I believe the answer is:
lamb
'gentle person' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'small ambition absorbs' is the wordplay.
'absorbs' indicates a hidden word.
'LAMB' can be found hidden inside 'small ambition'.
(Other definitions for lamb that I've seen before include "Charles ---, essayist; meek animal" , "author?" , "A follower" , "Young farm animal" , "Youngster" .)