Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Pilot
Pi′lot
,Noun.
1.
(Naut.)
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
. (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.Pi′lot
,Verb.
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.
2.
Figuratively: To guide, as through dangers or difficulties.
“The art of piloting a state.” Berkeley.
Webster 1828 Edition
Pilot
PI'LOT
,Noun.
1.
One who steers a ship in a dangerous navigation, or rather one whose office or occupation is to steer ships, particularly along a coast, or into and out of a harbor, bay or river, where navigation is dangerous.2.
A guide; a director of the course of another person. [In colloquial use.]PI'LOT
,Verb.
T.