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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Figuratively: To guide, as through dangers or difficulties. “The art of piloting a state.” Berkeley. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Aëronautics) To fly, or act as pilot of (an aircraft); to operate (an airplane). [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

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. (Aëronautics) 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. pilotage. ] 1. The pilot's skill or knowledge, as of coasts, rocks, bars, and channels. [ Obs. ] Sir W. Raleigh. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The compensation made or allowed to a pilot. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Guidance, as by a pilot. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

. A small, unmanned balloon sent up to indicate the direction of air currents. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

. The flag hoisted at the fore by a vessel desiring a pilot, in the United States the union jack, in Great Britain the British union jack with a white border. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

{ or }. (Elec.) 1. A small incandescent telltale lamp on a dynamo or battery circuit to show approximately by its brightness the voltage of the current. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. a small light on an electrical device to indicate whether the device is in operation or that the power is on. [ PJC ]

n. a small gas flame kept burning continuously on a stove, water heater, or other gas-burning device, so as to allow immediate ignition of the main flame when the gas flow is turned on. [ PJC ]

{ } n. Pilotage; skill in the duties of a pilot. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

. (Hydraulics) A small hand-operated valve to admit liquid to operate a valve difficult to turn by hand. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

. (Mach.) A wheel, usually with radial handles projecting from the rim, for traversing the saddle of a machine tool, esp. an automatic machine tool, by hand. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]