Hypertext Webster Gateway: "jackal"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Jackal \Jack"al`\, n. [Pers. shagh[=a]l: cf. OF. jackal, F.
chacal; cf. Skr. [,c][.r]g[=a]la.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) 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.
Note: The common species of Southern Asia ({Canis aureus}) is
yellowish gray, varied with brown on the shoulders,
haunches, and legs. The common African species ({C.
anthus}) is darker in color.
2. One who does mean work for another's advantage, as jackals
were once thought to kill game which lions appropriated.
[Colloq.] --Ld. Lytton.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
jackal
n : 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 [syn: {Canis
aureus}]
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