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.
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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.
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3. Figuratively: A guide; a director of another through a
difficult or unknown course.
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4. An instrument for detecting the compass error.
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5. The cowcatcher of a locomotive. [U.S.]
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6. (A["e]ronautics) One who flies, or is qualified to fly, an
airplane, balloon, or other flying machine.
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7. (Mach.) A short plug at the end of a counterbore to guide
the tool. Pilots are sometimes made interchangeable.
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8. (Mining) The heading or excavation of relatively small
dimensions, first made in the driving of a larger tunnel.
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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.
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Rudder \Rud"der\, n. [OE. rother, AS. r[=o][eth]er a paddle;
akin to D. roer rudder, oar, G. ruder, OHG. roadar, Sw.
roder, ror, Dan. roer, ror. [root] 8. See Row to propel
with an oar, and cf. Rother. ]
1. (Naut.) The mechanical appliance by means of which a
vessel is guided or steered when in motion. It is a broad
and flat blade made of wood or iron, with a long shank,
and is fastened in an upright position, usually by one
edge, to the sternpost of the vessel in such a way that it
can be turned from side to side in the water by means of a
tiller, wheel, or other attachment.
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2. Fig.: That which resembles a rudder as a guide or
governor; that which guides or governs the course.
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For rhyme the rudder is of verses. --Hudibras.
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3. In an aircraft, a surface the function of which is to
exert a turning moment about an axis of the craft.
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Balance rudder (Naut.), a rudder pivoted near the middle
instead of at the edge, -- common on sharpies.
Drop rudder (Naut.), a rudder extending below the keel so
as to be more effective in steering.
Rudder chain (Naut.), one of the loose chains or ropes
which fasten the rudder to the quarters to prevent its
loss in case it gets unshipped, and for operating it in
case the tiller or the wheel is broken.
Rudder coat (Naut.), a covering of tarred canvas used to
prevent water from entering the rudderhole.
Rudder fish. (Zool.)
(a) The pilot fish.
(b) The amber fish (Seriola zonata), which is bluish
having six broad black bands.
(c) A plain greenish black American fish (Leirus
perciformis); -- called also black rudder fish,
logfish, and barrel fish. The name is also applied
to other fishes which follow vessels.
Rudder pendants (Naut.), ropes connected with the rudder
chains.
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