jackals

Noun

jackal (plural jackals)

1. Any of certain wild canids of the genera Lupulella and Canis, native to the tropical Old World and smaller than a wolf.
   • In passing, it also mentions how the jackal and the tiger acquired their reddish spots. All of the animals referred to, except the deer, have tricksterlike personalities, both in this tale and in other story contexts. But the jackal is the most renowned of all for roguishness.1987, Brenda E. F. Beck, Peter J. Claus, Praphulladatta Goswami, Jawaharlal Handoo, editors, Folktales of India, page 289

   Synonyms:

   jackall, chacal

2. 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.1819 July 1, “The Political Vis——ss”, in [John Mitford], editor, The New Bon Ton Magazine; or, Telescope of the Times, volume III, number 15, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], →OCLC, page 179
3. (derogatory, figuratively) A person who behaves in an opportunistic way; especially, a base collaborator.

   Synonyms:

   quisling, collaborationist, collaborator, collaboratress, collaboratrix, quisler

   1. (derogatory, figuratively, rugby union) A player who steals the ball at the tackle.
4. (rare, slang) A jack (the playing card).

See all 6 meanings of jackal