jackal

/'dʤækɔ:l/

Thân thiện

A jackal stands alert on the grassy savanna at dusk.

Definition

Noun: 1. A wild canine mammal: A medium-sized carnivorous mammal native to Africa and Asia, closely related to dogs and wolves. It is typically nocturnal, has a yellowish-brown coat, and is known for its opportunistic feeding habits and distinctive howling or yipping calls. 2. A person who does routine or menial work for another: (Figurative) Someone who performs difficult or unpleasant tasks on behalf of someone else, often for personal gain or advancement.

Usage and Examples

• Literal (Animal):
• Figurative (Person):

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Cultural and Mythological Context: In some cultures, the jackal is associated with trickery or death (e.g., the Egyptian god Anubis had the head of a jackal). This influences its symbolic use in literature.
• Ecological Role: The term is used in biology to describe an animal that is both a predator and a scavenger, playing a crucial role in its ecosystem by cleaning up carrion.

Variants and Related Words

• Jackals: Standard plural form.
• Golden Jackal: A specific species () common in Southeastern Europe and Asia.
• Black-backed Jackal / Side-striped Jackal: Other distinct species found in Africa.

Synonyms

• For the animal: Wild dog, canine. (Note: "Coyote" or "fox" are different species, though sometimes confused.)
• For the figurative sense: Henchman, lackey, minion, stooge.

Idioms and Fixed Phrases

• To play the jackal: (Rare) To act as a subordinate who does the unpleasant work for a more powerful person.

Học thuật

Noun

1. 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

Từ đồng nghĩa

• canis aureus