n. [ Pers. shaghāl: cf. OF. jackal, F. chacal; cf. Skr. ç&rsdot_;gāla. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. (Zool.) 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The common species of Southern Asia (Canis aureus) is yellowish gray, varied with brown on the shoulders, haunches, and legs. The common African species (Canis anthus) is darker in color. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who does mean work for another's advantage, as jackals were once thought to kill game which lions appropriated. [ Colloq. ] Ld. Lytton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ For Jack o' (= of) apes; prop., a man who exhibits apes. ] [ Written also jackanape. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A monkey; an ape. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A coxcomb; an impertinent or conceited fellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

A young upstart jackanapes. Arbuthnot. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To be a jackaroo; to pass one's time as a jackaroo. [ Colloq., Australia ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ 2d jack + ass. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The male ass; a donkey. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A conceited dolt; a perverse blockhead; -- disparaging and offensive. [ 1913 Webster ]

Jackass bark (Naut.), a three-masted vessel, with only the foremast square-rigged; a barkentine. --
Jackass deer (Zool.), the koba. --
Jackass hare,
Jackass rabbit (Zool.). See Jack rabbit, under 2d Jack, n. --
Jackass penguin (Zool.), any species of penguin of the genus Spheniscus, of which several are known. One species (Spheniscus demersus) inhabits the islands near the Cape of Good Hope; another (Spheniscus Magellanicus) is found at the Falkland Islands. They make a noise like the braying of an ass; -- hence the name. --
Laughing jackass. (Zool.) See under Laughing. [ 1913 Webster ]