jackal

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Any of certain wild canids of the genera Lupulella and Canis, native to the tropical Old…

   Any of certain wild canids of the genera Lupulella and Canis, native to the tropical Old World and smaller than a wolf.

   • Until recently, scientists thought Ethiopian wolves were a type of jackal. They gave Ethiopian wolves names like Semien jackal, Simenian jackal, or Ethiopian jackal.
   • As we will see, the jackal is usually associated in the Indic context with death and impurity, and would therefore sit squarely at the bottom of Dumont's social hierarchy.
2. 2

   A person who performs menial or routine tasks

   A person who performs menial or routine tasks; a dogsbody.

   • A nephew of hers, after receiving some learning at her ladyship's expence, got a commission, and fell upon the field of Waterloo; another is still at her heels, as a sort of jackall to fetch and carry when required.
3. 3

   A person who behaves in an opportunistic way

   A person who behaves in an opportunistic way; especially a base collaborator.

4. ›+ 3 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      A jack (the playing card).

   2. 5

      A player who steals the ball at the tackle.

   3. 6

      To perform menial or routine tasks

      • They have jackalled for the great beast, to pick in turns the bones of each other; they have subserved those above, to oppress and defraud those below; and they are suffering, and, so far as classes can, justly suffering their purgation.

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