Category:Pilot

Pi"lot, n. Etym: [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.)

Defn: one employed to steer a vessel; a helmsman; a steersman. Dryden.

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.

3. Figuratively: a guide; a director of another through a difficult Or unknown course.

4. An instrument for detecting the compass error.

5. The cowcatcher of a locomotive. [u.s.] Pilot balloon, a small Balloon sent up in advance of a large one, to show the direction and Force of the wind. -- pilot bird. (zoöl.) (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. (zoöl) (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 (zoöl.) (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. (zoöl.) Same as blackfish, 1.

Pilot Pi"lot, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Piloted; p. pr. & vb. n. Piloting.] Etym: [cf. F. piloter.]

1. To direct the course of, as of a ship, where navigation is Dangerous.

2. Figuratively: to guide, as through dangers or difficulties. "the Art of piloting a state." Berkeley.