ˈpaɪlət n. & v. --n. 1 a
person who operates
the flying controls of an
aircraft. 2 a person qualified to
take charge of a
ship entering or leaving
harbour. 3 (usu. attrib.) an
experimental undertaking or test,
esp. in
advance of a larger
one (a pilot project). 4 a
guide; a
leader. 5
archaic a
steersman. --v.tr. (piloted, piloting) 1
act as a pilot on (a ship) or of (an aircraft). 2
conduct, lead, or
initiate as a pilot (piloted the
new scheme). øpilot
balloon a
small balloon used to track
air currents etc. pilot-bird a rare dark-brown
Australian babbler, Pycnoptilus floccosus,
with a
distinctive loud cry. pilot chute a small
parachute used to
bring the main one
into operation. pilot-cloth
thick blue
woollen cloth for seamen's coats etc. pilot-fish a small fish, Naucrates ductor,
said to act as a pilot leading a shark to
food. pilot-house = wheel-house. pilot-jacket =
PEA-JACKET. pilot-light 1 a small
gas burner kept alight to
light another. 2 an
electric indicator light or
control light. pilot
officer Brit. the lowest commissioned rank in the
RAF. øøpilotage n. pilotless adj. [F pilote f. med.L pilotus, pedot(t)a f. Gk pedon oar]