chacal

jackal

noun shah-KAL Rare

Usage Note

Chacal (plural chacals) is the jackal, a canid found in Africa and Asia. Figuratively, a chacal is a ruthless or predatory person. The word entered French via Turkish çakal, ultimately from Persian. It should not be confused with chacun (each one).

Examples

"Le chacal hurle dans la nuit."

Natural Translation

The jackal howls in the night.

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