jackal

[jak-uh l, -awl]

See more synonyms for jackal on Thesaurus.com

noun

any of several nocturnal wild dogs of the genus Canis, especially C. aureus, of Asia and Africa, that scavenge or hunt in packs.
a person who performs dishonest or base deeds as the follower or accomplice of another.
a person who performs menial or degrading tasks for another.

Origin of jackal

1595–1605; < alteration, by association with Jack, of Persian shag(h)āl; cognate with Sanskrit śṛgāla

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for jackal

medium, accessory, go-between, stooge, pawn, minion, agent, dupe, puppet, accomplice, idiot, patsy, mark, messenger, intermediary, creature, sucker, hireling, figurehead, chump

Examples from the Web for jackal

Contemporary Examples of jackal

He was accused of being a 'jackal' and of drunkenly killing innocents by an Afghan warlord this week.
Lock Up Your Daughters (And Hide The Vodka) - Prince Harry's Headed Home!
Tom Sykes
January 3, 2013

Historical Examples of jackal

That jackal has enchanted him, so that he must deem well done all that is done by him.
The Sea-Hawk
Raphael Sabatini
Do not do that,” exclaimed the Jackal, “for I shall get wet and be drowned.
Boys and Girls Bookshelf (Vol 2 of 17)
Various
The Jackal does not like to get even the tip of his tail wet.
Boys and Girls Bookshelf (Vol 2 of 17)
Various
But the Jackal hid in the high cane, and the farmer could not find him.
Boys and Girls Bookshelf (Vol 2 of 17)
Various
I could take you to the place,” said the Jackal, “but it is across the river, and I cannot swim.
Boys and Girls Bookshelf (Vol 2 of 17)
Various

British Dictionary definitions for jackal

jackal

noun

any of several African or S Asian canine mammals of the genus Canis, closely related to the dog, having long legs and pointed ears and muzzle: predators and carrion-eaters
a person who does menial tasks for another
a villain, esp a swindler

Word Origin for jackal

C17: from Turkish chakāl, from Persian shagāl, from Sanskrit srgāla

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for jackal

c.1600, from Turkish çakal, from Persian shaghal, from or cognate with Sanskrit srgala-s, literally "the howler." Figurative sense of "skulking henchman" is from the old belief that jackals stirred up game for lions.