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.
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. (Zo["o]l.)
(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. (Zo["o]l)
(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 (Zo["o]l.)
(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. (Zo["o]l.) Same as Blackfish, 1.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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