Lexic.us

Definition of Jackal

1. Noun. Old World nocturnal canine mammal closely related to the dog; smaller than a wolf; sometimes hunts in a pack but usually singly or as a member of a pair.

Definition of Jackal

1. n. Any one of several species of carnivorous animals inhabiting Africa and Asia, related to the dog and wolf. They are cowardly, nocturnal, and gregarious. They feed largely on carrion, and are noted for their piercing and dismal howling.

Definition of Jackal

1. Noun. Any of several wild canine species, native to the tropical Old World, smaller than a wolf. ¹

2. Noun. A person who performs menial/routine tasks, dogsbody ¹

3. Noun. (pejorative) A person who behaves in an opportunistic way; especially a base collaborator. ¹

4. Noun. (slang rare) A jack (the playing card.) ¹

5. Verb. To perform menial or routine tasks ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Jackal

1. a doglike mammal [n -S]

Medical Definition of Jackal

1. 1. Any one of several species of carnivorous animals inhabiting Africa and Asia, related to the dog and wolf. They are cowardly, nocturnal, and gregarious. They feed largely on carrion, and are noted for their piercing and dismal howling. The common species of Southern Asia (Canis aureus) is yellowish gray, varied with brown on the shoulders, haunches, and legs. The common African species (C. Anthus) is darker in colour. 2. One who does mean work for another's advantage, as jackals were once thought to kill game which lions appropriated. Origin: Pers. Shaghal: cf. OF. Jackal, F. Chacal; cf. Skr. Cogala. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Jackal

Literary usage of Jackal

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Index to Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends by Mary Huse Eastman (1915)
"(Adventures of a jackal.) jackal and the alligator. Sec jackal and the crocodile. ... jackal and the crocodile. Darton. Wonder book of beasts. ..."

2. Children's Literature: A Textbook of Sources for Teachers and Teacher by Charles Madison Curry (1921)
"It may be said of this story that while retaliation is certainly not the highest law of conduct, yet the ungracious, inconsiderate action of the jackal ..."

3. The Encyclopaedia of Sport by Frederick George Aflalo, Hedley Peek (1897)
"jackal HUNTING—This sport is indulged in more by new comers or Griffins in India ... Once when I was sleeping on the floor in an open verandah, a mad jackal ..."

4. Contemporary French Novelists: And Other Tales from India by William Henry Denham Rouse, William Crooke, William Heath Robinson, René Doumic, Mary D. Frost (1922)
"So the woman had to give the jackal some of this food. ... A jackal met me," replied his wife, " and threatened to bite me if I gave him none. ..."

5. The Universal Anthology: A Collection of the Best Literature, Ancient by Richard Garnett, Leon i.e. Alexandre Le'on Valle'e, Léon Vallée, Alois Leonhard Brandl (1899)
"It was a near race, however, for just as he popped into his hole the jackal caught him by the tail and held on. Then it was a case of " pull butcher, ..."

6. The American Cyclopaedia: A Popular Dictionary of General Knowledge by Charles Anderson Dana (1874)
"jackal, a species of wild dog, living in troops in the warmer parts of Asia and Africa, generally placed in the genus canis of authors, but raised to a ..."

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