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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Pilot \Pi"lot\, n. [F. pilote, prob. from D. peillood plummet,
sounding lead; peilen, pegelen, to sound, measure (fr. D. &
G. peil, pegel, a sort of measure, water mark) lood lead,
akin to E. lead. The pilot, then, is the lead man, i. e., he
who throws the lead. See {Pail}, and {Lead} a metal.]
1. (Naut.) One employed to steer a vessel; a helmsman; a
steersman. --Dryden.
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2. Specifically, a person duly qualified, and licensed by
authority, to conduct vessels into and out of a port, or
in certain waters, for a fixed rate of fees.
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3. Figuratively: A guide; a director of another through a
difficult or unknown course.
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4. An instrument for detecting the compass error.
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5. The cowcatcher of a locomotive. [U.S.]
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6. (A["e]ronautics) One who flies, or is qualified to fly, an
airplane, balloon, or other flying machine.
[Webster 1913 Suppl. PJC]

7. (Mach.) A short plug at the end of a counterbore to guide
the tool. Pilots are sometimes made interchangeable.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]

8. (Mining) The heading or excavation of relatively small
dimensions, first made in the driving of a larger tunnel.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]

9. (Television) a filmed or taped episode of a proposed
television series, produced as an example of the series.
It may be shown only to those television broadcast
executives who may decide whether to buy the rights to the
series, or aired to test viewer reaction or to interest
sponsors. Also called {pilot film} or {pilot tape}.
[PJC]

{Pilot balloon}, a small balloon sent up in advance of a
large one, to show the direction and force of the wind.

{Pilot bird}. (Zool.)
(a) A bird found near the Caribbee Islands; -- so called
because its presence indicates to mariners their
approach to these islands. --Crabb.
(b) The black-bellied plover. [Local, U.S.]

{Pilot boat}, a strong, fast-sailing boat used to carry and
receive pilots as they board and leave vessels.

{Pilot bread}, ship biscuit.

{Pilot cloth}, a coarse, stout kind of cloth for overcoats.


{Pilot engine}, a locomotive going in advance of a train to
make sure that the way is clear.

{Pilot fish}. (Zool)
(a) A pelagic carangoid fish ({Naucrates ductor}); -- so
named because it is often seen in company with a
shark, swimming near a ship, on account of which
sailors imagine that it acts as a pilot to the shark.
(b) The rudder fish ({Seriola zonata}).

{Pilot jack}, a flag or signal hoisted by a vessel for a
pilot.

{Pilot jacket}, a pea jacket.

{Pilot nut} (Bridge Building), a conical nut applied
temporarily to the threaded end of a pin, to protect the
thread and guide the pin when it is driven into a hole.
--Waddell.

{Pilot snake} (Zool.)
(a) A large North American snake ({Coluber obsoleus}). It
is lustrous black, with white edges to some of the
scales. Called also {mountain black snake}.
(b) The pine snake.

{Pilot whale}. (Zool.) Same as {Blackfish}, 1.
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Pilot \Pi"lot\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Piloted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Piloting}.] [Cf. F. piloter.]
1. To direct the course of, as of a ship, where navigation is
dangerous.
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2. Figuratively: To guide, as through dangers or
difficulties. "The art of piloting a state." --Berkeley.
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3. (A["e]ronautics) To fly, or act as pilot of (an aircraft);
to operate (an airplane).
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]


Cowcatcher \Cow"catch`er\ (-k?ch`?r), n.
A strong inclined frame, usually of wrought-iron bars, in
front of a locomotive engine, for catching or throwing off
obstructions on a railway, as cattle; the {pilot}. [U.S.]

Syn: fender, buffer, pilot.
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