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jackal
(jak′əl, -ôl′)
- any of several wild dogs of Asia and N Africa, mostly yellowish-gray and smaller than the wolf: they often hunt prey in packs, generally at night, and also eat carrion and certain plants
- a person who does dishonest or humiliating tasks for another: from the notion that the jackal hunts game for the lion and eats the leavings
- a cheat or swindler
Origin: Turk chaqāl < Pers shagāl < Sans śrgālá
See jackal in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- Any of several doglike mammals of the genus Canis of Africa and southern Asia that are mainly foragers feeding on plants, small animals, and occasionally carrion.
- a. An accomplice or a lackey who aids in the commission of base or disreputable acts.b. One who performs menial tasks for another.
Origin:
Origin: Turkish chakāl
Origin: , from Persian shaghāl
Origin: , from Middle Indic shagāl
Origin: , from Sanskrit śṛgālaḥ
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