jackal

[ jak-uhl, -awl ]
See synonyms for jackal on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. any of several nocturnal wild dogs of the genus Canis, especially C. aureus, of Asia and Africa, that scavenge or hunt in packs.

  2. a person who performs dishonest or base deeds as the follower or accomplice of another.

  1. a person who performs menial or degrading tasks for another.

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Origin of jackal

1
1595–1605; < alteration, by association with Jack, of Persian shag(h)āl; cognate with Sanskrit śṛgāla

Words Nearby jackal

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use jackal in a sentence

  • The Snake submitted to the test, and when she was covered by the stone the jackal advised the Man to go away and leave her.

    Nights With Uncle Remus | Joel Chandler Harris
  • But the Man proposed to consult other wise people before being bit, and after a while they met the jackal.

    Nights With Uncle Remus | Joel Chandler Harris
  • In another Kaffir story, the jackal runs into a hole under a tree, but the Lion catches him by the tail.

    Nights With Uncle Remus | Joel Chandler Harris

British Dictionary definitions for jackal

jackal

/ (ˈdʒækɔːl) /


noun
  1. 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

  2. a person who does menial tasks for another

  1. a villain, esp a swindler

Origin of jackal

1
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