jackal

noun

jack·​al ˈja-kəl 

 also  -ˌkȯl

1

: any of several small omnivorous canids (such as Canis aureus) of Africa and Asia having large ears, long legs, and bushy tails

2

a

: a person who performs routine or menial tasks for another

b

: a person who serves or collaborates with another especially in the commission of base acts

Examples of jackal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One of the ur-dogs of the planet, a dingo/jackal/hound, a traveler-in-packs, a sharp-witted middleweight, a superfast runner, beaky, brainy, built for the Great Unraveling, for broken cities and despairing populations. —James Parker, The Atlantic, 13 June 2024

About the size of a German shepherd and resembling a jackal, D. avus roamed Patagonia’s grasslands from the late Ice Age until about 500 years ago. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Apr. 2024

There are various shots of jackals and spiders having physical contact with Margaret. —Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Apr. 2024

From jackals to hornbills, many grassland animals form a deep bond with their partner By Devin Farmiloe The Lion King got one thing right: love is in the air on the savanna. —Devin Farmiloe, Scientific American, 14 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Turkish çakal, from Persian shaqāl, of Indo-Aryan origin; akin to Sanskrit sṛgāla jackal

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

jackal

noun

jack·​al ˈjak-əl 

-ˌȯl

: any of several wild dogs of Africa and Asia like but smaller than the related wolves