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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web But Italian conservationists were taken by surprise in December when a new creature turned up unexpectedly: a golden jackal. 
Nick Squires, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Jan. 2022 In Tuscany, the sighting of the jackal has been greeted with delight rather than dread. Nick Squires, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Jan. 2022 Not enough and the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires will imitate a jackal stuck in quicksand. Dave Vanderwerp, Car and Driver, 29 Nov. 2021 Three hyenas, a jackal, and two elephants endure a sandstorm on a hot, humid late afternoon while the wind picks up before the squall begins. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 7 Nov. 2021 The collection had been expanded by 1622 to include three eagles, two pumas, a tiger, and a jackal, as well as more lions and leopards. Gabrielle Duncan, PEOPLE.com, 31 Aug. 2021 Over time, Cardenas gave them distinct personalities, partly inspired by characters from Seinfeld: the feline Bast as the irreverent, extroverted Elaine, and Anubis, the jackal, as the endearingly stolid Puddy. Christopher Ross, WSJ, 4 June 2021 When a predator, like the jackal or rooikat, gets close to the grazing sheep, the devices send out a noisy alarm, plus flashing lights to irritate them and ultimately drive them away from the livestock. Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 15 July 2020 In December 2019, a video went viral after a group of tourists recorded a python, honey badger and two jackals fighting each other while on safari in Africa. Fox News, 28 May 2020 See More
Nick Squires, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Jan. 2022 In Tuscany, the sighting of the jackal has been greeted with delight rather than dread. Nick Squires, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Jan. 2022 Not enough and the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires will imitate a jackal stuck in quicksand. Dave Vanderwerp, Car and Driver, 29 Nov. 2021 Three hyenas, a jackal, and two elephants endure a sandstorm on a hot, humid late afternoon while the wind picks up before the squall begins. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 7 Nov. 2021 The collection had been expanded by 1622 to include three eagles, two pumas, a tiger, and a jackal, as well as more lions and leopards. Gabrielle Duncan, PEOPLE.com, 31 Aug. 2021 Over time, Cardenas gave them distinct personalities, partly inspired by characters from Seinfeld: the feline Bast as the irreverent, extroverted Elaine, and Anubis, the jackal, as the endearingly stolid Puddy. Christopher Ross, WSJ, 4 June 2021 When a predator, like the jackal or rooikat, gets close to the grazing sheep, the devices send out a noisy alarm, plus flashing lights to irritate them and ultimately drive them away from the livestock. Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 15 July 2020 In December 2019, a video went viral after a group of tourists recorded a python, honey badger and two jackals fighting each other while on safari in Africa. Fox News, 28 May 2020 See More 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 ˈja-kəl
: a wild dog of Africa and Asia like but smaller than a wolf