Pilot bird

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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

3. Figuratively: A guide; a director of another through a difficult or unknown course. [1913 Webster]

4. An instrument for detecting the compass error. [1913 Webster]

5. The cowcatcher of a locomotive. [U.S.] [1913 Webster]

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}. (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. [1913 Webster]