jackal

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: jack=al

CIDE DICTIONARY

jackal, n. [Pers. shaghāl: cf. OF. jackal, F. chacal; cf. Skr. ç\'f0gāla.].

•  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.  [1913 Webster]

  " The common species of Southern Asia (Canis aureus) is yellowish gray, varied with brown on the shoulders, haunches, and legs. The common African species (Canis anthus) is darker in color."  [1913 Webster]
•  One who does mean work for another's advantage, as jackals were once thought to kill game which lions appropriated.  Ld. Lytton.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

jackal, n.
1 any of various wild doglike mammals of the genus Canis, esp. C. aureus, found in Africa and S. Asia, usu. hunting or scavenging for food in packs.
2 colloq. a a person who does preliminary drudgery for another. b a person who assists another's immoral behaviour.

Etymology

Turk. {ccedil}akal f. Pers. sagal

THESAURUS

jackal

African hunting dog, Cape hunting dog, adherent, apple-polisher, ass-licker, backscratcher, backslapper, bootlick, bootlicker, brown-nose, brownie, brush wolf, clawback, courtier, coyote, creature, cringer, dingo, disciple, dummy, dupe, fawner, figurehead, flatterer, flunky, follower, footlicker, fox, gillie, goon, groveler, handshaker, hanger-on, helot, henchman, hyena, instrument, kowtower, lackey, led captain, lickspit, lickspittle, lobo, man, mealymouth, medicine wolf, minion, myrmidon, peon, prairie wolf, puppet, reynard, satellite, serf, slave, spaniel, stooge, suck, sycophant, thug, timber wolf, timeserver, toad, toady, tool, truckler, tufthunter, votary, wolf, yes-man

ROGET THESAURUS

jackal

Provision

N provision, supply, grist, grist for the mill, subvention, resources, groceries, grocery, providing, purveyance, reinforcement, reenforcement, commissariat, provender, ensilage, viaticum, caterer, purveyor, commissary, quartermaster, manciple, feeder, batman, victualer, grocer, comprador, restaurateur, jackal, pelican, sutler, grocery shop, grocery store.

Auxiliary

N auxiliary, recruit, assistant, adjuvant, adjutant, ayudante, coaid, adjunct, help, helper, help mate, helping hand, midwife, colleague, partner, mate, confrere, cooperator, coadjutor, coadjutrix, collaborator, ally, friend, confidant, fidus Achates, pal, buddy, alter ego, confederate, accomplice, complice, accessory, accessory after the fact, particeps criminis, socius criminis, aide-de-camp, secretary, clerk, associate, marshal, right-hand, right-hand man, Friday, girl Friday, man Friday, gopher, gofer, candle- holder, bottle-holder, handmaid, servant, puppet, cat's-paw, jackal, tool, dupe, stooge, ame damnee, satellite, adherent, votary, sectarian, secretary, seconder, backer, upholder, abettor, advocate, partisan, champion, patron, friend at court, mediator, angel (theater, entertainment), friend in need, Jack at a pinch, deus ex machina, guardian angel, tutelary genius.