pilotn.adj.

Brit.

/ˈpʌɪlət/, U.S.

/ˈpaɪlət/

Forms: late Middle English peylotte, late Middle English–1500s pylotte, 1500s pilotte, 1500s pylott, 1500s–1600s pilat, 1500s–1600s pilate, 1500s–1600s pylate, 1500s–1600s pylot, 1500s–1600s pylote, 1500s–1700s pilote, 1500s– pilot, 1600s–1700s pilott, 1700s pilett, 1700s piolett; Scottish pre-1700 pellot, pre-1700 pilat, pre-1700 pilate, pre-1700 pillat, pre-1700 pillatt, pre-1700 pillot, pre-1700 pilote, pre-1700 pilott, pre-1700 pylat, pre-1700 pylate, pre-1700 pylet, pre-1700 pylett, pre-1700 pyllot, pre-1700 pylot, pre-1700 pylott, pre-1700 1700s– pilot.

Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French pilot.

Etymology: < Middle French pilot (1339), pillot (1369), pillote (14th cent.), pilote (1484; French pilote ) person who steers or directs the course of a ship (14th cent.), leader of a group (a1560, of Pope Paul IV), pilot fish (1694), pilot of a balloon (1782), pilot of an aeroplane (1908), driver of a land vehicle (1903) < Italian piloto (14th cent.; also pilota (16th cent.)), probably < post-classical Latin pillottus (1282 in a text from Genoa); further etymology uncertain. Probably ultimately related are Italian pedotta (1314; also pedota , pedoto , pedotto ; > Middle French pedot (c1320 in an isolated attestation)), and its probable etymon post-classical Latin pedota (1271 in Crete, also 1311); Italian piloto or post-classical Latin pillottus may have arisen as variants or alterations of one of the forms in ped- . Post-classical Latin pedota is perhaps < an unattested Greek form *πηδώτης steersman < ancient Greek πηδόν oar, in plural rudder ( < the same Indo-European base as Lithuanian pėda foot, footstep, probably representing an ablaut variant of the base of ancient Greek ποδ- , πούς foot: see -pod comb. form) + -ώτης -ote suffix; compare medieval Greek ποδότας pilot (14th cent.). Alternatively post-classical Latin pillottus may derive from Byzantine Greek πλωτής sailor, seaman (7th cent.; < ancient Greek (Ionic) πλώειν , corresponding to ancient Greek (Attic) πλεῖν to sail, swim (see pleon n.¹); compare ancient Greek πλωτήρ sailor, seaman), through the (probably Sicilian) addition of epenthetic -i- (see Illinois Classical Studies 6 (1981) 413); in this case post-classical Latin pedota and related forms may ultimately show alterations after ancient Greek πηδόν (see above). Compare Old Occitan pilot (1411), Catalan pilot (15th cent.), Spanish piloto (15th cent.; < Italian), Portuguese piloto (1438; also pilloto (15th cent.); < Italian), post-classical Latin pilotus (1404, 1486 in British sources), pilota (1537, 1547 in British sources)). Compare also Middle Dutch pylote (1488; Dutch piloot, also early modern Dutch pijlloot, pijloot), German Pilot (1505; 15th cent. as pillot, pelotte, also pedotta, pedot; c1500 as pilotto, piloto).On the origin of sense A. 4a compare quot. 1782 at sense A. 4a; compare also later pilot snake n., pilot black-snake n. With sense A. 4b compare earlier pilot fish n. On the origin of sense A. 4c compare quot. 1880 at sense A. 4c; compare also (with different denotation) pilot bird n.

A. n.

I. A navigator, guide, or driver.

a. A person who steers or directs the course of a ship; a helmsman or navigator, spec. a qualified coastal navigator taken on board temporarily to steer a ship into or out of a port, through a channel, etc.

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society > travel > travel by water > one who travels by water or sea > sailor > sailors involved in specific duties or activities > [noun] > helmsman or pilot

lodemanc1000

steermanc1000

steersmanc1000

rudderOE

governorc1384

lodesmanc1385

shipmasterc1440

pilot1481

steersmatea1575

sternman1582

steerer1585

helmsman1622

piloteer1650

conder1693

timoneer1762

sea-conny1801

boat-setter1814

manjee1829

wheelman1865

throttle jockey1946

1481 J. Balsall Purser's Acct. in Camden Misc. (1969) XXIII. 27 Ffor a peylotte to bryng the schep out at the bare of Welva to yn to the Streyts.

1504–5 in J. B. Paul Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1900) II. 478 For ane marinaris hire to be thair pilat.

1578 T. Nicholas tr. F. Lopez de Gómara Pleasant Hist. Conquest W. India 4 His pilote was not expert in that nauigation.

1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia i. 1 King Henry the eight..made him [sc. S. Cabot] grand Pilate of England.

a1694 J. Tillotson Serm. (1742) IV. lii. 490 An experienced pilate and seaman.

1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 9 I was like a Ship without a Pilot, that could only run afore the Wind.

1782 J. H. St. J. de Crèvecoeur Lett. from Amer. Farmer vi. 162 Here [i.e. in Martha's Vineyard] are to be found the most expert pilots.

1816 W. Scott Antiquary I. vii. 151 Long projecting reefs of rock, extending under water,..rendered Knockwinnock bay dreaded by pilots.

1847 G. P. R. James Convict ii A large shaggy great coat commonly at that time used by pilots.

1947 Sun (Baltimore) 22 Dec. 12/2 The oldest pilot in the time-honored Pilots' Association for the Bay and Delaware River..has voluntarily surrendered his license.

1994 Professional Mariner Aug.–Sept. 44/1 Coast Guard officials said the pilot apparently was unfamiliar with the handling characteristics of the ship.

b. figurative. A leader; a mentor, teacher; a moral or spiritual guide; a clergyman (cf. sky pilot n. at sky n.¹ Compounds 3).

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society > authority > control > person in control > [noun] > one who guides

ruddereOE

guyour13..

lodesmanc1300

guya1375

guidec1385

conduct1423

wisserc1440

guiderc1450

conductor1481

convoyer1488

godfather?1541

pilota1560

compeller1587

godmother1593

prefect1608

Mercurialist1635

a1560 Lang Rosair 238 in J. A. W. Bennett Devotional Pieces (1955) 330 Ye quene of chaistite, and to all creature art pilat and glory.

1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. C3^v Desire my Pilot is, Beautie my prise.

1608 D. Price Marchant Ded. Christ being his Pilot, faith his sterne, hope his anchor.

a1652 A. Wilson Hist. Great Brit. (1653) 161 The Pilots of the Commonwealth had an eye to the dangers that lay in the way.

1723 A. Philips Humfrey ii. iv. 25 Why, was I born a Prince?—Why, singled out To ward the King?—The Pilot of the State, Just foundering in continual Storms of Faction!

1774 W. H. Roberts Poems 160 Shall he,..The guide, the pilot of thy tender years, Teach thy young heart to feel a spurious glow At undeserved praise?

1802 G. Canning Song in Lyra Elegant. (1867) No. 199 Here's to the pilot [sc. Pitt] that weather'd the storm!

1860 R. W. Emerson Beauty in Conduct of Life (London ed.) 254 Beauty leads him as a guide... Beauty is the pilot of the young soul.

1920 T. S. Eliot Sacred Wood 66 If Aristotle may be said to have been a moral pilot of Europe.

1997 Hartford (Connecticut) Courant (Nexis) 7 Mar. b1 Call him a spiritual pilot. For the past 25 years, the Rev. William N. Allen has been pastor of the Third Baptist Church.

c. Used in the titles of navigational handbooks for use at sea. Also gen., a navigational handbook.

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society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > navigational aids > [noun] > pilot book

rutter1561

sea-ruttier1599

routier1677

wagoner1687

pilot1693

portolan1717

sea-book1726

norie1827

1693 G. Collins (title) Great Britain's coasting-pilot.

1789 R. Bishop (title) The complete Pilot for the Windward Passage.

1825 S. Cummings (title) The western pilot; containing charts of the Ohio River, and of the Mississippi [etc.].

1897 M. Kingsley W. Afr. xvii. 406 The northern part of the bay I have had no personal experience in navigating but, according to the ‘Pilot’ it has its drawbacks.

1937 H. Belloc in L. C. Wroth Way of Ship ii. 15 I pick up my charts, I read my various ‘Pilots’ (especially my beloved ‘English Channel Pilot I’), and the truth comes out.

1984 Pract. Boat Owner Feb. 65/1 Every abnormal wave documented in the pilot had occurred between May and October.

d. to drop the pilot and variants: to abandon a trustworthy adviser.Originally with allusion to a cartoon by J. Tenniel in Punch (1890) 20 Mar., depicting the recent dismissal of Bismarck from the Chancellorship of Germany by William II.

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the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > reversal of or forsaking one's will or purpose > reverse or abandon one's purpose [verb (intransitive)] > desert one's party or principles > abandon a trustworthy adviser

to drop the pilot1891

1891 National Rev. Sept. 19 The emperor had suddenly ‘dropped his pilot’..and taken his own stand on the bridge.

1926 G. M. Trevelyan Hist. Eng. iv. vi. 456 In face of these signs Charles decided to ‘drop the pilot’. It was indeed tempting to make a scapegoat of Clarendon.

1979 D. Gurr Troika vi. 32 Khruschev'll be dropping that pilot before they clear the river.

2004 Sunday Tel. (Nexis) 25 Jan. 18 The controversial July reshuffle in which the Prime Minister dropped the pilot (and his erstwhile pupil-master).

2. A person who acts as a guide through an unknown or hazardous area of land; an escort. Now rare.In extended use in quot. a1635; cf. pilot star n.

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society > travel > aspects of travel > guidance in travel > [noun] > one who guides or leads

way-witterc1275

leadera1300

lodesmanc1300

predecessora1325

guide1362

duistre1393

conduct1423

way-leaderc1450

guiderc1475

conductor1481

leadsmanc1510

janissary1565

Palinurus1567

forerunner1576

convoy1581

mercury1592

pilota1635

accompanier1753

runner1867

a1635 R. Corbet Iter Boreale in Certain Elegant Poems (1647) 9 Nor pilot, Moone, nor any such kinde starre, As guided those Wise men that came from farre.

1672 J. Paine Jrnl. in Publ. Colonial Soc. Mass. (1916) 18 189 Wee mett with the Riuor Hosick which wee Set our corse for by Direction of our Indian Pilate and ther..wee dismounted.

1676 Connecticut Public Rec. II. 444 You lead your army up to Windsor..taking a pilot at Norwich to shew you that way.

1710 T. Buckingham in S. Knight Jrnls. (1825) 94 Mr. Christophers and myself, having provided horses and a pilot, set out for Boston.

1755 in S. M. Hamilton Lett. to Washington (1898) I. 117 The Lieutenant..returned having went 35 miles by Computation of our Pilot.

1842 M. Crawford Jrnl. (1897) 18 We should have traviled on but we was afraid of being in the night without water, this is the difficulty of traviling without a pilot.

1887 M. E. Braddon Like & Unlike I. xi. 243 He was my pilot through some of our best runs.

1936 I. L. Idriess Cattle King vii. 63 A squatter was overlanding with a big mob of stock... He needed a pilot to show him the waterholes on his own country.

1995 B. Bryson Notes from Small Island (1996) xxii. 274 You can walk 6 miles across the bay to Cumbria when the tide is out, but they say it is dangerous to do so without a guide, or sand pilot as they are known hereabouts.

a. A person who flies an aircraft, balloon, spacecraft, etc., esp. one qualified to do so as a profession.See also automatic pilot n.

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society > travel > air or space travel > people who fly in aircraft or spacecraft > [noun] > person in control of aircraft or spacecraft

pilot1836

1836 Times 18 Oct. 3/5 The following aeronauts took their seats in the car:—Mr. Holland,..and Mr. Green, the veteran pilot of aerial navigation.

1852 Illustr. London News 18 Sept. 224/3 Long shall we all remember the pleasant night we passed with the old ethereal pilot on his 500th ascent with the Royal Nassau Balloon.

1899 Eng. Mech. 14 July 480/3 The new machine..is said to be able to carry in its car as many as six men and travel easily at a rate of 100 miles an hour under the absolute mastery of its engineer and pilot.

1907 Navigating Air (Aero Club Amer.) 247 In order to qualify as a pilot one must make ten ascensions, one of which must be made at night, and two of which must be made alone.

1921 Aeronautics 3 Feb. 76/2 The automatic pilot..enables the pilot of an aeroplane to leave the machine entirely to its own devices.

1949 R. A. Heinlein Red Planet i. 6 I still think I'd like to be a rocket pilot.

1988 Boston Globe 22 Nov. 66/5 You don't find the pilot of the space shuttle trying to fly under the Brooklyn Bridge with it.

1992 J. Torrington Swing Hammer Swing! xxxi. 283 When there's only one parachute on the plane it doesn't pay to bad-lip the pilot.

b. The driver or operator of a land vehicle.

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1926 Science 12 Mar. p. xiv The prospective taxi pilot stands facing the apparatus, 15 feet away.

1940 Open Road for Boys Sept. 20/1 Bud Cameron..plays the role of Bill Van Dusen, the town's steam-roller pilot and Henry's confidant and adviser.

1968 Drive Spring 113 The driver of any heavy-load vehicle is known as the pilot or the jockey.

1996 Cycle Touring & Campaigning Apr. 45/1 Tandem pilots like to keep both hands on the bars, so bar-end or integrated shifters..are preferred.

c. Horse Racing slang. A jockey.

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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > horse racing > people involved in horse racing > [noun] > rider

skipjack1608

horse racerc1618

rider1632

stager1638

jockeya1684

horse-jockey1782

jock1826

equison1846

hoop1941

pilot1976

1976 Horse & Hound 10 Dec. 41/1 He was to underline his Epsom misfortune by streaking home in the Irish Sweeps Derby, when his French pilot was replaced by Geoff Lewis.

1986 Sporting Life Weekender 17 Apr. 37/6 He rode seven of his 21 winners off that mark last year but does not wish to be typecast as a bottom of the handicap pilot.

2003 Illawarra (Austral.) Mercury (Nexis) 26 Sept. 66 Brown had been the horse's pilot in six previous starts.

II. Extended uses (chiefly short for compounds of pilot).

a. U.S. A pilot snake; esp. = pilot snake n. 1.

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the world > animals > reptiles > order Squamata (lizards and snakes) > suborder Ophidia (snakes) > types of snake > [noun] > family Viperidae (vipers) > subfamily Crotalinae > genus Agkistrodon > agkistrodon contortix (copperhead)

copper-belly1743

copper-snake1765

copperhead1775

pilot1782

copperhead snake1788

pilot snake1793

chunk-head1880

1782 J. H. St. J. de Crèvecoeur Lett. from Amer. Farmer x. 236 The most dangerous one is the pilot, or copperhead... It bears the first name because it always precedes the rattle-snake; that is, quits its state of torpidity in the spring a week before the other.

1860 Harper's Mag. Apr. 584/1 They had been cautioned against getting into the swamps, as the deadly rattlesnake, and still more fatal ‘pilot’, were frequently found in those localities.

1956 L. M. Klauber Rattlesnakes II. 1243 The pilot is described as a snake that commands and governs the rattlesnake.

b. Chiefly U.S. A pilot fish, esp. Naucrates ductor.

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the world > animals > fish > superorder Acanthopterygii (spiny fins) > order Perciformes (perches) > suborder Scombroidei (mackerel) > [noun] > family Carangidae (scads) > member of genus Naucrates (pilot-fish)

pilot fish1592

rudderfish1792

pilota1829

a1829 H. Crow Mem. (1830) 287 Pretty coloured little fish, the size of herrings, which are called pilots. These go in and out at the shark's maw.

1847 R. H. Schomburgk Hist. Barbados iii. 674 Pomacentrus leucostictus, Müll. et Tr. nov. spec...Black Pilot.

1905 D. S. Jordan Guide Study of Fishes II. xxii. 383 The ‘cockeye pilot’, or jaqueta,..green with black bands, swarms in the West Indies.

1939 Florida: Guide to Southernmost State (Federal Writers' Project) i. 30 Colorful tropical fish are..black pilots..and red mahoganies.

1946 F. R. La Monte N. Amer. Game Fishes 122 Pilot... Dorsal fin and portion of the tail brown.

1983 G. C. Becker Fishes Wisconsin 372 Round Whitefish... Other common names: the pilot, pilot fish.

†c. U.S. The black-bellied or grey plover, Pluvialis squatarola. Obsolete.

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the world > animals > birds > order Charadriiformes > [noun] > family Charadriidae > genus Pluvialis > pluvialis squatarola (grey plover)

sea plover1634

whistling plover1668

strand plover1772

squatarole1819

whistling field bird1819

grey plover1838

whistling field plover1872

Swiss plover1874

pilot1880

1880 Forest & Stream 15 4 Black-bellied plover... On the coast of Virginia..the name of pilot has been given, as it is always seen leading the large flights of birds which the rising tides drive from the shoals.

1917 T. G. Pearson Birds Amer. I. 256 Black-bellied Plover Squatarola squatarola... [Also called] Whistling Field Plover; Pilot, May Cock.

†5. A length of pilot cloth. Obsolete.

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1838 Times 21 Nov. 2/3 (advt.) Woollen cloths. Pilots and Kerseys of all kinds.

1860 S. Jubb Hist. Shoddy-trade 46 Whatever other descriptions of cloth spring up,..pilots hold on their course steadily, and the quantity making is, probably, ever on the increase.

1887 Daily News 23 Feb. 2/6 Heavy tweeds, unions, meltons, pilots, and other cheap fabrics.

1890 Times 18 Aug. 9/4 For such fabrics as pilots and witneys rather lower prices are taken.

6. Railways.

a. Short for pilot engine n. at Compounds 2.

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society > travel > rail travel > rolling stock > [noun] > locomotive > steam locomotive > other types of steam locomotive

pilot1842

bogie engine1843

saddle tank1871

saddle tank engine1888

prairie1900

single1901

1842 Times 29 Jan. 5/5 Should no attention be paid to the index, the apparatus on the locomotive of the train in connexion with the wires extending to the pilot, will cause a gong to be struck.

1883 F. M. A. Roe Army Lett. (1909) 313 It requires two engines to pull even the passenger trains up, and when the divide is reached the ‘pilot’ is uncoupled and run down ahead.

1904 Westm. Gaz. 1 Sept. 3/1 Uncertainty..as to whether the pilot was going through with the train or intending to pass to the siding.

1986 Rail Enthusiast May 44/2 Although withdrawn last July, it was..resurrected for use as Grangemouth pilot on January 13.

b. U.S. = cow-catcher n.

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society > travel > rail travel > rolling stock > [noun] > locomotive > cow-catcher

cow-catcher1838

guard1838

pilot1846

cow-remover1848

lifeguard1864

obstruction guard1898

1846 F. Wyse America I. xii. 396 There is usually a ‘pilot’, made of stout frame work, placed in front of the leading engine, to which it is attached.

1891 C. Roberts Adrift in Amer. 247 Most English people know the wedge-shaped pilot in front of the American engine well enough by repute to recognise it.

1909 ‘O. Henry’ Roads of Destiny xiv. 235 The train with the tiny Stars and Stripes fluttering from the engine pilot arrived.

1977 R. Whitaker Foder's Railways of World 97 From pilot to the back of the tender is a distance of 98 feet and the height is 15½ feet.

†7. An instrument for detecting the error of a compass. Obsolete. rare.

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1890 Webster's Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Pilot,..an instrument for detecting the compass error.

8. Telecommunications. More fully pilot tone. An unmodulated reference signal transmitted with another signal for purposes of control or synchronization; = pilot signal n. 2b.

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society > communication > telecommunication > [noun] > signal > types of

pilot1935

back scatter1957

pilot signal1968

1935 Proc. IRE 23 702 The high degree of frequency stability required for single side-band suppressed-carrier transmissions can be dispensed with by transmitting a pilot frequency over the channel.

1957 D. G. Fink Television Engin. Handbk. xviii. 31 The L3 system makes use of six pilots for dynamic regulating and equalizing purposes. These are 308, 556, 2,064, 3,096, 7,266, and 8,320 kc.

1966 M. Schwartz et al. Communication Syst. & Techniques xi. 492 One technique for monitoring the channel state in a digital signaling system would be to transmit a pilot tone (unmodulated tone) along with the information-bearing waveforms.

1993 What Hi-Fi? Oct. 40 You could be suffering from what's called Pilot Tone interference, caused by the tuner upsetting the tape deck's biasing.

2000 IEEE Trans. Signal Processing 50 1215/1 Distinct precoders require half the number of pilots than identical precoders to achieve the same channel estimation accuracy.

a. Motorcycling. Short for pilot jet n. at Compounds 2.

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society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > motorcycle > [noun] > parts of engine > parts of carburettor

pilot jet1925

pilot1939

1939 ‘N. I.’ Bk. New Imperial (ed. 5) 7 It will be necessary to re-check the pilot setting if this has been disturbed.

1987 Super Bike June 68/2 All I wanted to do was trickle through the slow corners on the pilot.

b. Short for pilot light n. 1b, 2.

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the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > artificial light defined by light-source > [noun] > gaslight or lamp > pilot light

pilot light1881

pilot flame1895

pilot burner1920

pilot1951

the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > artificial light defined by light-source > electric light > [noun] > used to indicate that something is switched on

pilot lamp1884

pea lamp1921

pilot light1929

pilot1973

1951 Sci. Monthly Apr. p. vi/2 If the gas pilot does not ignite, the oil valve cannot open.

1964 E. Berckman Simple Case of Ill-will x. 98 I smelled gas!.. There's a pilot on your cooker, an open flame.

1973 R. L. Simon Big Fix (1974) vi. 48 All the lights were out except for a couple of pilots beneath the tape decks.

1995 Sun (Baltimore) 21 Oct. d1/3 As I looked at the gas furnace, knowing I would soon be vacuuming out its dusty insides and lighting its pilot.

10. Short for pilot wire n. at Compounds 2.

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the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > electrical power, electricity > distribution system > [noun] > cable > auxiliary cable

pilot wire1890

pilot cable1912

pilot1940

1940 Chambers's Techn. Dict. 644/1 Pilot, in power systems, a conductor used for auxiliary purposes, not for the transmission of energy.

1957 M. D. Kippen in E. O. Taylor Power Syst. Communications i. 6 It has been the policy of many city undertakings when laying power cables to lay protection pilots and, in some cases, telephone pilots in the same trench.

1966 W. J. Cheetham in E. O. Taylor & G. A. Boal Electr. Power Distribution 415V–33kV iii. 125 Post-office pilots are much more prone to interference during maintenance work on adjacent communication circuits.

1987 Physics Bull. Mar. 94/1 The bulk of this communication network uses metallic telephone circuits (pilots).

11. An experimental undertaking designed to assess the viability of a full-scale project or activity; spec. a test episode of a projected television series used to gauge audience reaction. Cf. B.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > [noun] > an experiment > an experimental project or undertaking

pilot1953

society > communication > broadcasting > television > [noun] > a television broadcast > types of

nemo1927

telecinema1928

teletalkie1929

telecine1935

colourcast1947

schools television1952

pilot1953

instructional television1954

telepolitics1958

tele-vérité1964

access1970

telefilm1971

bottle show1976

reality television1978

bottle episode2003

1953 Sponsor 13 July 183/3 As an indication of new show costs, the pilot for ABC's new Danny Thomas situation-comedy film came to a higher tab than I Love Lucy.

1955 Valley News (Van Nuys, California) 3 Nov. 3 b/3 Jimmie Best..[was] talking about his new television pilot ‘Circuit Judge’.

1962 Listener 18 Oct. 633/2 A little tighter and tauter and the production would have looked for all the world like a pilot for a new series.

1971 Inside Kenya Today Mar. 9/1 If this pilot is successful an important export oriented mining enterprise will be established.

1990 Screen Internat. 24 Mar. 9/1 The four networks unveiled a total of 99 pilots..for the upcoming autumn season.

B. adj. (attributive).

a. That serves as a prototype or trial prior to a full-scale operation or activity; experimental, initial. Cf. pilot hole n. 2.

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the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > [adjective] > of a project

pilot1893

1893 R. Hart Let. 28 May in J. K. Fairbank et al. I. G. in Peking (1975) II. 889 I have had to accept Philips' resignation—vide ‘N.C. Herald’ for Newchwang Consular Decree granting a pilot divorce and branding P. as ‘guilty of adultery’.

1915 Times 1 July 14/3 The pilot plant has been erected, and the tests upon the ore have commenced.

1934 Planning 1 xvii. 9 Actually research has become specialised not only by subjects but by processes and each process—background, basic, ad hoc and pilot, or whatever else they may be termed—is inseparable from the one before it and from the one after it.

1948 Proc. Symp. Large-scale Digital Calculating Machinery 1947 84 The danger lurking in this procedure may be illustrated by a pilot example.

1952 W. J. H. Sprott Social Psychol. vi. 102 The ‘open-end’ question may be used in a pilot survey, which helps to determine the multiple-answer question.

1957 R. K. Merton Social Theory (rev. ed.) ii. x. 387 The initial substantive aim of this pilot study was fourfold.

1971 Brit. Med. Bull. 27 6/2 Sensitivity and specificity may be assessed from the results of a pilot trial undertaken on a group of individuals similar to those who are to be screened.

1986 R. Cameron Portage i. 2 This pilot scheme had 13 families, three home teachers, a supervisor and a small management team.

2003 Independent 11 Feb. (Review section) 11/1 Ministers agreed to fund a pilot project giving 46 people the chance to ‘shadow’ magistrates.

b. spec. Designating a test episode of a projected television series used to gauge audience reaction.

ΚΠ

1951 N. Johnson Let. 25 Oct. (1981) 71 A good deal of this stuff, like those daffy pilot films, is being made on shoelace tips.

1966 T. Pynchon Crying of Lot 49 ii. 33 They've done the pilot film of a TV series, in fact, based loosely on my career.

1975 Radio Times 30 Aug. 14/2 I saw a pilot programme for the new series.

1998 Zest Sept. 13/1 Can We Still Be Friends? , LWT's newly commissioned pilot show, will quiz twentysomethings on how well they know their ex!

Compounds

C1. attributive. Designating a vessel used by a pilot (sense A. 1a).

pilot brig n.

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1844 J. Tomlin Missionary Jrnls. 368 We met with another pilot brig going up to Calcutta.

1998 Press (Christchurch, N.Z.) (Nexis) 30 Dec. 20 The brigantine Corsair..was wrecked in the bay in 1861... Previously, it had been a Calcutta pilot brig on the Hooghly River.

pilot craft n.

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1861 Sci. Amer. 9 Mar. 154/1 The New York pilot craft were in fact our first American yachts.

1969 Times 2 Apr. (Hovercraft & Hydrofoils Special Rep.) p. ii/5 [The hovercraft] is also attracting great interest..as a river and coastal patrol vessel, as a pilot craft, [etc.].

2000 Florida Times-Union (Nexis) 16 Oct. a6 About two to three support vessels were around the Cole, including pilot craft and a garbage barge.

pilot cutter n.

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1785 Daily Universal Reg. 27 Apr. 2/2 Commodore Thompson..takes with him the Termagant of 24 guns, and Pilot cutter.

1935 ‘A. Andrews’ Blue Tunnyman vi. 93 No one taught me more than Mr. J. Paine..in a converted Bristol pilot cutter.

1997 Classic Boat May 91/3 Born in 1862 on Southampton pilot cutter lines.., Mermaid now lies distressed in the Tamar mud at Weir Quay Boatyard in Devon.

pilot launch n.

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1845 Amer. Whig Rev. Oct. 430/2 [He] had been a rower in the pilot launch of the bar of St. Augustine.

1900 Times 21 Aug. 4/5 Steamer Yarmouth Belle collided yesterday evening with pilot launch Duke of York.

1990 Lifeboat (RNLI) Spring 225/3 The helmsman made a very difficult but skilled transfer to a pilot launch which was on passage nearby.

pilot schooner n.

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1794 J. Ritchie in Oriental Navigator 302 I traced the bank off Palmiras in the Mercury pilot schooner.

1899 Overland Monthly Mar. 219/1 Within a radius of twenty miles are the light-stations at Tillamook Rock, Point Adams, Cape Disappointment, the light-ship, and, lastly, the pilot schooner.

1989 Wooden Boat Catal. Fall 41/1 The pilot schooner.., a gill-netter on Puget Sound, a French lugger on the coast of Normandy,..and more.

pilot sloop n.

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1738 W. Stephens Jrnl. 6 Oct. in Jrnl. Proc. Georgia (1742) I. 300 I called upon Donald Stewart, Master of the Pilot Sloop, and rebuked him for his (almost continual) Indolence.

1896 Daily News 5 Dec. 5/7 The pilot-sloop, with half a dozen Exmouth pilots, put off to assist the vessel and get her off.

1995 Chicago Tribune (Nexis) 23 July 1 A 33-foot pilot sloop built in 1948.

pilot vessel n.

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1783 J. Capper Observ. Passage to India 3 Apply..for one or more of the Company's cruizers,..the one for yourself, and another small one for a tender or pilot-vessel.

1908 Man. Seamanship I. vii. Pl. facing p. 232 (caption) A Steam Pilot Vessel under way, showing Red Globular Light under the usual Masthead Light.

2001 Maritime Reporter & Engin. News Sept. 53/1 Given that the pilot vessel was well known to the pilots, they encountered few distractions with the underway training environment.

C2.

pilot balloon n. a small balloon used for signalling, to test the wind direction, or (now usually) to carry instruments to record or transmit data about the atmosphere; a ballon-sonde; also figurative.

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the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > study or science of weather > meteorological instruments > [noun] > upper air wind instruments

pilot balloon1802

rawin1967

1802 Sporting Mag. 20 295/1 A Pilot Balloon, as it is called, was first launched.

1846 C. G. F. Gore Sketches Eng. Char. (1852) 155 To..send up..such a pilot-balloon as might fore-arm and forewarn his patron of the object of their mission.

1924 J. E. Hodgson Hist. Aeronaut. Great Brit. i. 22 The use of pilot balloons, or ballons-sondes, capable of carrying recording instruments to immense heights.

1993 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) B. 340 399/2 A pilot balloon tracked by the scanning radar provided an estimate of the wind velocity.

pilot biscuit n. U.S. a large, hard biscuit or cracker; ship's biscuit.

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the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > biscuit > [noun] > ship's biscuit

ship bread1598

bread1625

ship's biscuit1634

pilot bread1788

midshipman's nuts1828

hardtack1830

pilot biscuit1836

pantile1874

Liverpool pantile1899

1836 T. Power Impressions of Amer. I. 21 Lift a piece of pilot biscuit, request some kind soul to shave the under side of the corned round for you, then..fly the place and seek the deck.

1877 Edwardsville (Illinois) Intelligencer 6 June 3/2 Calling for two pilot biscuits, he sandwiched the blacking between them, and without flinching he ate the whole.

1944 Chicago Daily News 11 Oct. 25/1 The pilot biscuit—great flat round crackers that may be purchased at the grocer's—were toasted and lightly spread with butter.

1990 Canoe Aug. 37/3 I left the crackers in favor of traditional pilot biscuits.

pilot burner n. = pilot light n. 2.

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the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > artificial light defined by light-source > [noun] > gaslight or lamp > pilot light

pilot light1881

pilot flame1895

pilot burner1920

pilot1951

1849 Times 1 Feb. 2/4 (advt.) The most powerful and brilliant gas-burner in the world is the Patent Pilot Burner, suitable to all who require a large light at little cost.]

1920 Times 2 Sept. 7/2 In fact there are three burners, but two of them are smaller pilot burners and are used for maintaining steam while the engine is standing.

2000 Gas Installer Mar. 44/1 In this article we will discuss the pilot burner design of an ASD.

pilot cable n. = pilot wire n.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > electrical power, electricity > distribution system > [noun] > cable > auxiliary cable

pilot wire1890

pilot cable1912

pilot1940

1912 Times 11 Sept. 18/3 A length of 66,000 metres of three-core pilot cable, and 28.000 metres of armoured telephone cable, which will also be laid direct in the ground.

2002 Power Engin. Internat. (Nexis) 1 Oct. 25 The land connection is composed of a high voltage cable, two medium voltage return cables.., a triple conduct for the telecommunication cables and a pilot cable for the check and surveillance of the line.

pilot chute n. = pilot parachute n.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > parachute > [noun] > part which leads out main parachute

pilot chute1920

pilot parachute1922

1920 Gettysburg (Pa.) Times 27 Sept. 2/3 The pilot chute springs open automatically, and catching the rush of air, draws the main chute from the pack on the back of the aviator.

1973 ‘A. Hall’ Tango Briefing x. 118 Free fall... Seven, eight, nine. Pull it. Crack of the pilot 'chute. Then the jerk and the drag.

1994 Skydiving Feb. 2/4 The jumper saw Creecy reaching for the handle of her pull out pilot chute at an altitude between 2000 to 2500 feet.

pilot driver n. originally Railways an engine driver who guides another over an unfamiliar route; (later also) a person who guides another in a car or other vehicle.

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society > travel > rail travel > railway worker > [noun] > train-staff > engine-driver > specific type

shunter1852

pilot driver1867

switch-engineer1906

1867 Times 1 May 9/6 The wages of drivers commence at 5s. per day for a pilot driver.

1907 Westm. Gaz. 15 Feb. 7/1 Drivers should not be allowed to drive an engine over a road that they were not acquainted with without a pilot driver.

1971 News Jrnl. (Mansfield, Ohio) 28 Mar. (Family Weekly section) 2/1 If you rent a car in Rome..request at the same time the service of a pilot driver to take you to the edge of town.

pilot engine n. Railways (a) a locomotive coupled to another to assist in pulling a heavy load or ascending a steep gradient; (b) = pilot locomotive n.; (c) a locomotive used for shunting or for moving rolling stock over a particular short section of track.

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society > travel > rail travel > rolling stock > [noun] > locomotive > steam locomotive > to assist in climbing steep slopes

bank engine1835

banking engine1838

pilot engine1839

banker1852

bank1866

roof garden1932

1839 Ann. Reg. 1838 Chron. 40/1 His engine came into collision with another pilot engine.

1859 Jrnl. Soc. Arts 20 May 462/1 Drawing a heavy load up the incline from Southampton to Andover..without the aid of a pilot engine.

1860 K. Cornwallis Royalty in New World xxvii. 238 A pilot engine ran two miles ahead of the royal train.

1947 T. A. Bailey Woodrow Wilson & Great Betrayal vi. 103 The party was to be carried on a special train, which, for purposes of safety, was to be preceded by a pilot engine.

1955 Railway Mag. May 302/1 A halt was made at Blarney, to detach the pilot engine.

1997 Mod. Railways July 456/3 No. 97654's final claim to fame..was as engineers' pilot engine on the Paddington ‘throat’ track remodelling.

pilot error n. misjudgement on the part of an aircraft pilot, considered as a factor in air accidents.

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1941 Lethbridge (Alberta) Herald 12 Apr. 10/1 The possibility of an element of pilot error cannot be entirely disregarded.

1990 Flight Internat. 25 July 28/2 A British human factors expert who specialises in pilot error..launched a damning attack on the whole air transport system.

pilot flag n. Nautical either of two types of signalling flag, one used to request a pilot and one used to indicate that a pilot is on board; cf. pilot jack n., pilot signal n. 1.

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1845 Times 16 Oct. 8/4 All the pilot flags on board the pilot vessels are hoisted half-mast high today.

1856 C. Lanman Adventures Wilds U.S. II. 312 If a returning whale ship happens to come in sight,..and has a pilot-flag at her mast, the races to board the ship are sometimes exciting.

1951 Daily Gleaner (Kingston, Jamaica) 21 June 6/1 A ship will approach the three mile limit flying the pilot flag.

1996 Australian (Nexis) 1 Jan. It is not necessary to fly the Pilot Flag in the dark.

† pilot frame n. Railways Obsolete a bogie supporting the front end of a locomotive.

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1843 J. Weale Ensamples Railway Making p. xx Engines having..what is termed a truck or pilot frame.

1889 Hornellsville (N.Y.) Weekly Tribune 26 Apr. 5/2 He was struck by the pilot frame of train 3 going east Saturday night.

pilot ground n. Nautical (now rare) = pilot water n.

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1841 J. L. Stephens Incidents Trav. Central Amer. I. i. 10 Avoiding altogether the regular pilot-ground, at midnight [we] reached St. George's Bay.

1882 Morning Oregonian (Portland, Oregon) 12 Sept. A vessel in tow of a steam tug anywhere on the ‘river’ pilot ground [is exempt from compulsory pilotage].

1953 S. E. Morison By Land & by Sea i. ii. 62 (note) Andrew Jackson in 1859–60 made the pilot grounds off the Farallones in 89 days 4 hours from New York.

† pilot guard n. Railways Obsolete a guard responsible for guiding trains over single-line sections of track.

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society > travel > rail travel > railway worker > [noun] > director of trains on temporary single line

pilotman1862

pilot guard1863

1863 Times 18 Mar. 5/2 The pilot guard (who was on the engine) mistook a white light from the engine of the 9.20 passenger train..as a signal from the pointsman to advance.

1921 Dict. Occup. Terms (1927) §702 Pilot guard, a guard..who pilots trains over portion [sic] of line where single line working is necessitated, or over bridges under repair.

pilot jack n. Nautical a white-bordered Union Jack formerly flown to request a pilot, and now used as a jack for civil shipping; cf. pilot flag n.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > indication > signalling > visual signalling > flag signalling > [noun] > signal flag > specific

black flag1583

yellow flag1587

red flag1748

yellow jack1753

Blue Peter1754

fire flag1798

recall1832

pilot jack1848

homeward-bound pennant1853

powder flag1864

paying-off pennant1869

Peter1890

storm flag1896

negative flag1897

blackball1966

1848 Times 29 Aug. 8/5 The Termagant made her appearance at the mouth of the harbour, with the pilot jack at her fore.

1894 C. N. Robinson Brit. Fleet 96 When surrounded by a white border it [sc. the ‘jack’]..is a signal for a pilot, and..it is known as a ‘Pilot jack’.

1989 M. Wiggins John Dollar (1990) ii. 59 Behind these two, hoisting a dipped Pilot Jack from her foresail peak..there ran John's boat.

pilot jacket n. (a) = pea-jacket n.; (b) a jacket of the type worn by (military) aircraft pilots.

ΘΚΠ

the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) > [noun] > coat > types of > overcoat > types of

pee1483

shuba1598

surtout1686

wrap-rascal1716

pea-jacket1717

box coat1718

toggy1742

jockey-coata1745

redingote1770

Polonese coat1774

pea coat1790

spencer1795

grego1809

benjamin1810

bang-up1835

pilot jacket1839

pilot coat1840

Petersham1842

taglioni1843

Chesterfield1852

siphonia1853

raglan1857

Inverness overcoat1865

immensikoff1870

Ulster1876

ulsterette1881

coat1889

polonaise1890

covert coata1893

benny1903

macfarlane1920

1839 E. Stirling Grace Darling (front matter) Guernsey frock, pilot jacket, petticoat trowsers, and boots.

1912 A. Conan Doyle Lost World iii. 23 The door was opened by an odd, swarthy, dried-up person of uncertain age, with a dark pilot jacket and brown leather gaiters.

1995 J. Miller Voxpop xiii. 190 You used to get loads of people in pilot jackets and combats and then it completely changed, you wear what you want.

pilot jet n. Mechanics (in the carburettor of a motorcycle engine) a small jet with a narrow bore designed to deliver petrol at a low rate when the engine is idling.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > motorcycle > [noun] > parts of engine > parts of carburettor

pilot jet1925

pilot1939

1925 A. W. Judge Carburettors & Carburation iv. 100 There is a slow running, or idling passage, of the usual pilot jet type.

1976 New Motorcycle Monthly Oct. 46/1 The pilot jet which is situated just in front of the main jet, should next be removed and checked for blockages.

pilot locomotive n. a separate locomotive preceding a train (esp. one carrying important passengers) to ensure that the line is clear.

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1842 Times 29 Jan. 5/5 If..any obstacle arises on the railroad, by which the pilot locomotive is stopped or disordered in its course.

1907 Westm. Gaz. 21 Sept. 12/2 An antique pilot-locomotive slouched out and stopped.

2002 Baltimore Sun (Nexis) 10 Aug. 2 d A pilot locomotive slowly chugged ahead of the presidential special, forcing people off the tracks.

pilot officer n. (a) U.S. a senior coastal pilot (now rare); (b) (also with capital initials) an officer holding the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force, or any of various other (esp. Commonwealth) air forces.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > hostilities in the air > airman > [noun] > officer in air force > pilot officer

pilot officer1875

1875 Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) 14 Feb. The Sandy Hook pilot officer reports that the bay is worse than ever.

1910 Washington Post 14 Aug. (Miscellany section) 1/3 The Secretary of the pilot officers also communicated with the various pilots telling them to keep a sharp lookout for the Victoria.

1919 Monthly Air Force List Aug. 15 Air Ministry... Directorate of Personnel... Staff Officers, 3rd Class... Dawes, Pilot Officer H., Gunn, Pilot Officer D.B.

1983 J. D. Harvey Tumbling Mirth (1986) 141 As a sprog Pilot Officer I shared a cabin with three Australian gentlemen who were also navigators and also Pilot Officers.

1993 Dict. National Biogr. at Farnes, Kenneth With the coming of war, he became a pilot officer in the RAF.

pilot parachute n. a small parachute used to deploy a main one.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > parachute > [noun] > part which leads out main parachute

pilot chute1920

pilot parachute1922

1922 Times 8 Apr. 16/1 (caption) A safety device is being tried... It consists of a small ‘pilot’ parachute which, on being released, pulls out a second envelope.

1990 Sci. Amer. May 77/1 The pilot parachute should deploy the main parachute smoothly and quickly (that is, within a few tenths of a second).

† pilot's anchor n. Nautical Obsolete rare a small anchor used to moor a vessel in a tideway (see quot. 1867).

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1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Pilot's anchor, a kedge used for dropping a vessel in a stream or tide-way.

pilot tone n. see sense A. 8.

pilot tower n. Nautical (a) a part of a ship from which a pilot navigates (now rare); (b) a tower used by coastal pilots to observe approaching ships.

ΚΠ

1865 Times 19 Dec. 10/2 The ship was quick in answering her helm, and her steering arrangements are excellent, having one wheel in front of the poop, and a second under the pilot tower forward.

1902 Delphos (Ohio) Daily Herald 22 Aug. 2/3 Immovable in his high pilot-tower the Indian stood,..firmly grasping the spokes of the wheel.

1989 St. Louis (Missouri) Post-Dispatch (Nexis) 28 June 14 a ‘I recommended that he head the vessel more toward’ the pilot tower, the local pilot..told the hearing.

2003 Workboat (Nexis) 60 30 Hanna..made the short drive to the Cape Henry pilot tower, one of the first points of contact for vessels entering U.S. waters off the Virginia coast.

pilot train n. a train preceding another (esp. one carrying important passengers) to ensure that the line is clear.

ΚΠ

1868 Decatur (Illinois) Republican 5 Nov. 6/3 A pilot train..started a few minutes before that of the royal family.

1947 Cape Argus 22 Feb. 4 We in the pilot train are at first sight everywhere mistaken for the royal train itself.

2003 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 23 Feb. 4/4 The railroad also ran trains to clear snow from the overhead wires.., and a train with a plow on it called a ‘pilot train’ to clear the tracks.

pilot tunnel n. a small tunnel or section of tunnelling used to guide the excavation of a main tunnel.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > equipment > earth-moving and excavating equipment > [noun] > tunnelling equipment

poling board1837

shield1837

packing-board1850

pilot tunnel1881

subterrene1956

mole1960

1881 Manufacturer & Builder Nov. 256/3 The plan of pushing a small pilot tunnel in advance of the work at the headings..is to be commended.

1958 Engineering 18 Apr. 502/1 Short pilot tunnels were driven out from the shore on both sides of the Channel.

2002 New Scientist 6 Apr. 13/1 The pilot tunnel they were boring through solid granite suddenly ran into a kind of sand called sugar-grain dolomite.

pilot valve n. Engineering a small auxiliary valve that is operated in association with a larger valve.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > control(s) > [noun] > valve > others

washer1596

turncock1702

air cock1709

Jack-in-the-box1728

runner1754

stop-valve1829

three-way cock1838

ball valve1839

relief valve1846

poppet valve1851

plunger valve1854

pot-lid1856

reflux valve1857

screw-down1864

mica valve1880

tide flap1884

tube-valve1884

swing-tap1892

relay valve1894

Schrader1895

pilot valve1900

mixer valve1904

spool valve1908

spill valve1922

safety valving1930

three-way1939

1900 Times 2 July 15/6 The latent defect in the steering gear was stated..to have been a flaw in the casting of the pilot valve spindle of the reducing valve, which caused the spindle to break.

1953 E. Molloy Maintenance Engineers' Pocket Bk. ii. 67 In large boilers..the pilot valve should be opened to warm up the steam main before the main stop valve is opened, thus avoiding the danger of water hammer.

1992 Mech. Products & Tools July 1539/1 This range of power solenoid and pilot valves offers a wide choice of applications.

pilot weed n. the compass plant, Silphium laciniatum (family Asteraceae ( Compositae)), a tall, deep-rooted North American plant bearing large flowers similar to sunflowers.

ΘΚΠ

the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Compositae (composite plants) > [noun] > compass-plant or silphium

silphium1771

turpentine weed1819

rosinweed1831

resinweed1838

polar plant1842

compass-flower1847

compass-plant1848

cup-plant1848

pilot weed1848

turpentine shrub-

1848 W. H. Emory Notes Mil. Reconnaissance 11 in U.S. Congress. Serial Set (30th Congr., 1st Sess.: House of Representatives Exec. Doc. 41) IV In the uplands..occasionally is found the wild tea,..and pilot weed.

1885 Girl's Own Paper Jan. 171/1 The compass plant—variously known, also, as the pilot weed, polar plant, and turpentine weed—is a vigorous perennial.

1996 Chiltern Seeds Catal. 219 Compass Plant, Pilot Weed, Polar Plant. The most famous plant from the American Prairies, this is an aristocratic species growing to 6 ft. or more.

pilot whale n. either of two whales of the genus Globicephala (family Delphinidae), characterized by black skin and a square bulbous head; (a) the long-finned G. melas, of cold-temperate waters of the Atlantic and Southern Oceans; (b) the short-finned G. macrorhynchus, of mainly tropical and warm-temperate waters.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > mammals > order Cetacea (whales) > suborder Odontoceti > [noun] > family Delphinidae > genus Globicephala (pilot-whale)

social whale1842

pothead1863

ca'ing-whalec1865

pilot whale1867

1867 Athenæum 21 Sept. 373/1 The pilot whale, Globiocephalus Svinevaly.

1921 J. T. Jenkins Hist. Whale Fisheries viii. 268 A third whale fishery practised in northern waters..was that for the Grindhval or Pilot Whale.

1989 Skin Diver May 129/1 Visiting divers have bumped into docile giants such as humpback and pilot whales.

2002 Environmental Health Perspectives 110 895 In the Faroe Islands.., the traditional diet includes pilot whale meat.

pilot wheel n. (a) a small undriven wheel used to guide a locomotive, piece of machinery, etc.; (b) a ship's wheel.

ΚΠ

1858 De Bow's Rev. May 391 In this estimate freight cars include gravel and baggage cars, and for accuracy in our estimate we shall reduce all driving and pilot-wheels to bearing-wheels.

1894 Overland Monthly July 31/2 We stood on the upper deck above the pilot wheel, noting with keen interest our course through this narrow passage.

1975 Post-Crescent (Appleton, Wisconsin) 10 Feb. b4/2 On shipboard, the binnacle is always near the pilot wheel so the pilot can guide the ship by watching the compass.

1992 Mech. Products & Tools July 1505/2 Three spoke pilot wheel for operating convenience.

pilot wire n. an auxiliary electrical wire or cable for conveying information about an associated power line or telegraph line or for operating apparatus connected with one.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > electrical power, electricity > distribution system > [noun] > cable > auxiliary cable

pilot wire1890

pilot cable1912

pilot1940

1890 J. W. Urquhart Electr. Light Fitting (ed. 3) x. 321 It is far more important to be informed as to the actual potential of the mains at the various points of consumption. For low tension constant current systems this is usually accomplished by the use of ‘pilot wires’.

1930 Engineering 12 Sept. 347/1 An examination of the available protective schemes not involving the use of pilot wires had shown that a close approximation to the performance of pilot protective gear could be obtained by the use of distance relays.

1968 P. J. Freeman Electr. Power x. 275 On long sections the capacitance currents between the pilot wires may be high enough to operate the relay, causing instability.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2006; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	pilot
释义	pilotn.adj. Brit. /ˈpʌɪlət/, U.S. /ˈpaɪlət/ Forms: late Middle English peylotte, late Middle English–1500s pylotte, 1500s pilotte, 1500s pylott, 1500s–1600s pilat, 1500s–1600s pilate, 1500s–1600s pylate, 1500s–1600s pylot, 1500s–1600s pylote, 1500s–1700s pilote, 1500s– pilot, 1600s–1700s pilott, 1700s pilett, 1700s piolett; Scottish pre-1700 pellot, pre-1700 pilat, pre-1700 pilate, pre-1700 pillat, pre-1700 pillatt, pre-1700 pillot, pre-1700 pilote, pre-1700 pilott, pre-1700 pylat, pre-1700 pylate, pre-1700 pylet, pre-1700 pylett, pre-1700 pyllot, pre-1700 pylot, pre-1700 pylott, pre-1700 1700s– pilot. Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French pilot. Etymology: < Middle French pilot (1339), pillot (1369), pillote (14th cent.), pilote (1484; French pilote ) person who steers or directs the course of a ship (14th cent.), leader of a group (a1560, of Pope Paul IV), pilot fish (1694), pilot of a balloon (1782), pilot of an aeroplane (1908), driver of a land vehicle (1903) < Italian piloto (14th cent.; also pilota (16th cent.)), probably < post-classical Latin pillottus (1282 in a text from Genoa); further etymology uncertain. Probably ultimately related are Italian pedotta (1314; also pedota , pedoto , pedotto ; > Middle French pedot (c1320 in an isolated attestation)), and its probable etymon post-classical Latin pedota (1271 in Crete, also 1311); Italian piloto or post-classical Latin pillottus may have arisen as variants or alterations of one of the forms in ped- . Post-classical Latin pedota is perhaps < an unattested Greek form *πηδώτης steersman < ancient Greek πηδόν oar, in plural rudder ( < the same Indo-European base as Lithuanian pėda foot, footstep, probably representing an ablaut variant of the base of ancient Greek ποδ- , πούς foot: see -pod comb. form) + -ώτης -ote suffix; compare medieval Greek ποδότας pilot (14th cent.). Alternatively post-classical Latin pillottus may derive from Byzantine Greek πλωτής sailor, seaman (7th cent.; < ancient Greek (Ionic) πλώειν , corresponding to ancient Greek (Attic) πλεῖν to sail, swim (see pleon n.¹); compare ancient Greek πλωτήρ sailor, seaman), through the (probably Sicilian) addition of epenthetic -i- (see Illinois Classical Studies 6 (1981) 413); in this case post-classical Latin pedota and related forms may ultimately show alterations after ancient Greek πηδόν (see above). Compare Old Occitan pilot (1411), Catalan pilot (15th cent.), Spanish piloto (15th cent.; < Italian), Portuguese piloto (1438; also pilloto (15th cent.); < Italian), post-classical Latin pilotus (1404, 1486 in British sources), pilota (1537, 1547 in British sources)). Compare also Middle Dutch pylote (1488; Dutch piloot, also early modern Dutch pijlloot, pijloot), German Pilot (1505; 15th cent. as pillot, pelotte, also pedotta, pedot; c1500 as pilotto, piloto).On the origin of sense A. 4a compare quot. 1782 at sense A. 4a; compare also later pilot snake n., pilot black-snake n. With sense A. 4b compare earlier pilot fish n. On the origin of sense A. 4c compare quot. 1880 at sense A. 4c; compare also (with different denotation) pilot bird n. A. n. I. A navigator, guide, or driver. 1. a. A person who steers or directs the course of a ship; a helmsman or navigator, spec. a qualified coastal navigator taken on board temporarily to steer a ship into or out of a port, through a channel, etc. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > one who travels by water or sea > sailor > sailors involved in specific duties or activities > [noun] > helmsman or pilot lodemanc1000 steermanc1000 steersmanc1000 rudderOE governorc1384 lodesmanc1385 shipmasterc1440 pilot1481 steersmatea1575 sternman1582 steerer1585 helmsman1622 piloteer1650 conder1693 timoneer1762 sea-conny1801 boat-setter1814 manjee1829 wheelman1865 throttle jockey1946 1481 J. Balsall Purser's Acct. in Camden Misc. (1969) XXIII. 27 Ffor a peylotte to bryng the schep out at the bare of Welva to yn to the Streyts. 1504–5 in J. B. Paul Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1900) II. 478 For ane marinaris hire to be thair pilat. 1578 T. Nicholas tr. F. Lopez de Gómara Pleasant Hist. Conquest W. India 4 His pilote was not expert in that nauigation. 1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia i. 1 King Henry the eight..made him [sc. S. Cabot] grand Pilate of England. a1694 J. Tillotson Serm. (1742) IV. lii. 490 An experienced pilate and seaman. 1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 9 I was like a Ship without a Pilot, that could only run afore the Wind. 1782 J. H. St. J. de Crèvecoeur Lett. from Amer. Farmer vi. 162 Here [i.e. in Martha's Vineyard] are to be found the most expert pilots. 1816 W. Scott Antiquary I. vii. 151 Long projecting reefs of rock, extending under water,..rendered Knockwinnock bay dreaded by pilots. 1847 G. P. R. James Convict ii A large shaggy great coat commonly at that time used by pilots. 1947 Sun (Baltimore) 22 Dec. 12/2 The oldest pilot in the time-honored Pilots' Association for the Bay and Delaware River..has voluntarily surrendered his license. 1994 Professional Mariner Aug.–Sept. 44/1 Coast Guard officials said the pilot apparently was unfamiliar with the handling characteristics of the ship. b. figurative. A leader; a mentor, teacher; a moral or spiritual guide; a clergyman (cf. sky pilot n. at sky n.¹ Compounds 3). ΘΚΠ society > authority > control > person in control > [noun] > one who guides ruddereOE guyour13.. lodesmanc1300 guya1375 guidec1385 conduct1423 wisserc1440 guiderc1450 conductor1481 convoyer1488 godfather?1541 pilota1560 compeller1587 godmother1593 prefect1608 Mercurialist1635 a1560 Lang Rosair 238 in J. A. W. Bennett Devotional Pieces (1955) 330 Ye quene of chaistite, and to all creature art pilat and glory. 1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. C3^v Desire my Pilot is, Beautie my prise. View more context for this quotation 1608 D. Price Marchant Ded. Christ being his Pilot, faith his sterne, hope his anchor. a1652 A. Wilson Hist. Great Brit. (1653) 161 The Pilots of the Commonwealth had an eye to the dangers that lay in the way. 1723 A. Philips Humfrey ii. iv. 25 Why, was I born a Prince?—Why, singled out To ward the King?—The Pilot of the State, Just foundering in continual Storms of Faction! 1774 W. H. Roberts Poems 160 Shall he,..The guide, the pilot of thy tender years, Teach thy young heart to feel a spurious glow At undeserved praise? 1802 G. Canning Song in Lyra Elegant. (1867) No. 199 Here's to the pilot [sc. Pitt] that weather'd the storm! 1860 R. W. Emerson Beauty in Conduct of Life (London ed.) 254 Beauty leads him as a guide... Beauty is the pilot of the young soul. 1920 T. S. Eliot Sacred Wood 66 If Aristotle may be said to have been a moral pilot of Europe. 1997 Hartford (Connecticut) Courant (Nexis) 7 Mar. b1 Call him a spiritual pilot. For the past 25 years, the Rev. William N. Allen has been pastor of the Third Baptist Church. c. Used in the titles of navigational handbooks for use at sea. Also gen., a navigational handbook. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > navigational aids > [noun] > pilot book rutter1561 sea-ruttier1599 routier1677 wagoner1687 pilot1693 portolan1717 sea-book1726 norie1827 1693 G. Collins (title) Great Britain's coasting-pilot. 1789 R. Bishop (title) The complete Pilot for the Windward Passage. 1825 S. Cummings (title) The western pilot; containing charts of the Ohio River, and of the Mississippi [etc.]. 1897 M. Kingsley W. Afr. xvii. 406 The northern part of the bay I have had no personal experience in navigating but, according to the ‘Pilot’ it has its drawbacks. 1937 H. Belloc in L. C. Wroth Way of Ship ii. 15 I pick up my charts, I read my various ‘Pilots’ (especially my beloved ‘English Channel Pilot I’), and the truth comes out. 1984 Pract. Boat Owner Feb. 65/1 Every abnormal wave documented in the pilot had occurred between May and October. d. to drop the pilot and variants: to abandon a trustworthy adviser.Originally with allusion to a cartoon by J. Tenniel in Punch (1890) 20 Mar., depicting the recent dismissal of Bismarck from the Chancellorship of Germany by William II. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > reversal of or forsaking one's will or purpose > reverse or abandon one's purpose [verb (intransitive)] > desert one's party or principles > abandon a trustworthy adviser to drop the pilot1891 1891 National Rev. Sept. 19 The emperor had suddenly ‘dropped his pilot’..and taken his own stand on the bridge. 1926 G. M. Trevelyan Hist. Eng. iv. vi. 456 In face of these signs Charles decided to ‘drop the pilot’. It was indeed tempting to make a scapegoat of Clarendon. 1979 D. Gurr Troika vi. 32 Khruschev'll be dropping that pilot before they clear the river. 2004 Sunday Tel. (Nexis) 25 Jan. 18 The controversial July reshuffle in which the Prime Minister dropped the pilot (and his erstwhile pupil-master). 2. A person who acts as a guide through an unknown or hazardous area of land; an escort. Now rare.In extended use in quot. a1635; cf. pilot star n. ΘΚΠ society > travel > aspects of travel > guidance in travel > [noun] > one who guides or leads way-witterc1275 leadera1300 lodesmanc1300 predecessora1325 guide1362 duistre1393 conduct1423 way-leaderc1450 guiderc1475 conductor1481 leadsmanc1510 janissary1565 Palinurus1567 forerunner1576 convoy1581 mercury1592 pilota1635 accompanier1753 runner1867 a1635 R. Corbet Iter Boreale in Certain Elegant Poems (1647) 9 Nor pilot, Moone, nor any such kinde starre, As guided those Wise men that came from farre. 1672 J. Paine Jrnl. in Publ. Colonial Soc. Mass. (1916) 18 189 Wee mett with the Riuor Hosick which wee Set our corse for by Direction of our Indian Pilate and ther..wee dismounted. 1676 Connecticut Public Rec. II. 444 You lead your army up to Windsor..taking a pilot at Norwich to shew you that way. 1710 T. Buckingham in S. Knight Jrnls. (1825) 94 Mr. Christophers and myself, having provided horses and a pilot, set out for Boston. 1755 in S. M. Hamilton Lett. to Washington (1898) I. 117 The Lieutenant..returned having went 35 miles by Computation of our Pilot. 1842 M. Crawford Jrnl. (1897) 18 We should have traviled on but we was afraid of being in the night without water, this is the difficulty of traviling without a pilot. 1887 M. E. Braddon Like & Unlike I. xi. 243 He was my pilot through some of our best runs. 1936 I. L. Idriess Cattle King vii. 63 A squatter was overlanding with a big mob of stock... He needed a pilot to show him the waterholes on his own country. 1995 B. Bryson Notes from Small Island (1996) xxii. 274 You can walk 6 miles across the bay to Cumbria when the tide is out, but they say it is dangerous to do so without a guide, or sand pilot as they are known hereabouts. 3. a. A person who flies an aircraft, balloon, spacecraft, etc., esp. one qualified to do so as a profession.See also automatic pilot n. ΘΚΠ society > travel > air or space travel > people who fly in aircraft or spacecraft > [noun] > person in control of aircraft or spacecraft pilot1836 1836 Times 18 Oct. 3/5 The following aeronauts took their seats in the car:—Mr. Holland,..and Mr. Green, the veteran pilot of aerial navigation. 1852 Illustr. London News 18 Sept. 224/3 Long shall we all remember the pleasant night we passed with the old ethereal pilot on his 500th ascent with the Royal Nassau Balloon. 1899 Eng. Mech. 14 July 480/3 The new machine..is said to be able to carry in its car as many as six men and travel easily at a rate of 100 miles an hour under the absolute mastery of its engineer and pilot. 1907 Navigating Air (Aero Club Amer.) 247 In order to qualify as a pilot one must make ten ascensions, one of which must be made at night, and two of which must be made alone. 1921 Aeronautics 3 Feb. 76/2 The automatic pilot..enables the pilot of an aeroplane to leave the machine entirely to its own devices. 1949 R. A. Heinlein Red Planet i. 6 I still think I'd like to be a rocket pilot. 1988 Boston Globe 22 Nov. 66/5 You don't find the pilot of the space shuttle trying to fly under the Brooklyn Bridge with it. 1992 J. Torrington Swing Hammer Swing! xxxi. 283 When there's only one parachute on the plane it doesn't pay to bad-lip the pilot. b. The driver or operator of a land vehicle. ΚΠ 1926 Science 12 Mar. p. xiv The prospective taxi pilot stands facing the apparatus, 15 feet away. 1940 Open Road for Boys Sept. 20/1 Bud Cameron..plays the role of Bill Van Dusen, the town's steam-roller pilot and Henry's confidant and adviser. 1968 Drive Spring 113 The driver of any heavy-load vehicle is known as the pilot or the jockey. 1996 Cycle Touring & Campaigning Apr. 45/1 Tandem pilots like to keep both hands on the bars, so bar-end or integrated shifters..are preferred. c. Horse Racing slang. A jockey. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > horse racing > people involved in horse racing > [noun] > rider skipjack1608 horse racerc1618 rider1632 stager1638 jockeya1684 horse-jockey1782 jock1826 equison1846 hoop1941 pilot1976 1976 Horse & Hound 10 Dec. 41/1 He was to underline his Epsom misfortune by streaking home in the Irish Sweeps Derby, when his French pilot was replaced by Geoff Lewis. 1986 Sporting Life Weekender 17 Apr. 37/6 He rode seven of his 21 winners off that mark last year but does not wish to be typecast as a bottom of the handicap pilot. 2003 Illawarra (Austral.) Mercury (Nexis) 26 Sept. 66 Brown had been the horse's pilot in six previous starts. II. Extended uses (chiefly short for compounds of pilot). 4. a. U.S. A pilot snake; esp. = pilot snake n. 1. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > reptiles > order Squamata (lizards and snakes) > suborder Ophidia (snakes) > types of snake > [noun] > family Viperidae (vipers) > subfamily Crotalinae > genus Agkistrodon > agkistrodon contortix (copperhead) copper-belly1743 copper-snake1765 copperhead1775 pilot1782 copperhead snake1788 pilot snake1793 chunk-head1880 1782 J. H. St. J. de Crèvecoeur Lett. from Amer. Farmer x. 236 The most dangerous one is the pilot, or copperhead... It bears the first name because it always precedes the rattle-snake; that is, quits its state of torpidity in the spring a week before the other. 1860 Harper's Mag. Apr. 584/1 They had been cautioned against getting into the swamps, as the deadly rattlesnake, and still more fatal ‘pilot’, were frequently found in those localities. 1956 L. M. Klauber Rattlesnakes II. 1243 The pilot is described as a snake that commands and governs the rattlesnake. b. Chiefly U.S. A pilot fish, esp. Naucrates ductor. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > fish > superorder Acanthopterygii (spiny fins) > order Perciformes (perches) > suborder Scombroidei (mackerel) > [noun] > family Carangidae (scads) > member of genus Naucrates (pilot-fish) pilot fish1592 rudderfish1792 pilota1829 a1829 H. Crow Mem. (1830) 287 Pretty coloured little fish, the size of herrings, which are called pilots. These go in and out at the shark's maw. 1847 R. H. Schomburgk Hist. Barbados iii. 674 Pomacentrus leucostictus, Müll. et Tr. nov. spec...Black Pilot. 1905 D. S. Jordan Guide Study of Fishes II. xxii. 383 The ‘cockeye pilot’, or jaqueta,..green with black bands, swarms in the West Indies. 1939 Florida: Guide to Southernmost State (Federal Writers' Project) i. 30 Colorful tropical fish are..black pilots..and red mahoganies. 1946 F. R. La Monte N. Amer. Game Fishes 122 Pilot... Dorsal fin and portion of the tail brown. 1983 G. C. Becker Fishes Wisconsin 372 Round Whitefish... Other common names: the pilot, pilot fish. †c. U.S. The black-bellied or grey plover, Pluvialis squatarola. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > birds > order Charadriiformes > [noun] > family Charadriidae > genus Pluvialis > pluvialis squatarola (grey plover) sea plover1634 whistling plover1668 strand plover1772 squatarole1819 whistling field bird1819 grey plover1838 whistling field plover1872 Swiss plover1874 pilot1880 1880 Forest & Stream 15 4 Black-bellied plover... On the coast of Virginia..the name of pilot has been given, as it is always seen leading the large flights of birds which the rising tides drive from the shoals. 1917 T. G. Pearson Birds Amer. I. 256 Black-bellied Plover Squatarola squatarola... [Also called] Whistling Field Plover; Pilot, May Cock. †5. A length of pilot cloth. Obsolete. ΚΠ 1838 Times 21 Nov. 2/3 (advt.) Woollen cloths. Pilots and Kerseys of all kinds. 1860 S. Jubb Hist. Shoddy-trade 46 Whatever other descriptions of cloth spring up,..pilots hold on their course steadily, and the quantity making is, probably, ever on the increase. 1887 Daily News 23 Feb. 2/6 Heavy tweeds, unions, meltons, pilots, and other cheap fabrics. 1890 Times 18 Aug. 9/4 For such fabrics as pilots and witneys rather lower prices are taken. 6. Railways. a. Short for pilot engine n. at Compounds 2. ΘΚΠ society > travel > rail travel > rolling stock > [noun] > locomotive > steam locomotive > other types of steam locomotive pilot1842 bogie engine1843 saddle tank1871 saddle tank engine1888 prairie1900 single1901 1842 Times 29 Jan. 5/5 Should no attention be paid to the index, the apparatus on the locomotive of the train in connexion with the wires extending to the pilot, will cause a gong to be struck. 1883 F. M. A. Roe Army Lett. (1909) 313 It requires two engines to pull even the passenger trains up, and when the divide is reached the ‘pilot’ is uncoupled and run down ahead. 1904 Westm. Gaz. 1 Sept. 3/1 Uncertainty..as to whether the pilot was going through with the train or intending to pass to the siding. 1986 Rail Enthusiast May 44/2 Although withdrawn last July, it was..resurrected for use as Grangemouth pilot on January 13. b. U.S. = cow-catcher n. ΘΚΠ society > travel > rail travel > rolling stock > [noun] > locomotive > cow-catcher cow-catcher1838 guard1838 pilot1846 cow-remover1848 lifeguard1864 obstruction guard1898 1846 F. Wyse America I. xii. 396 There is usually a ‘pilot’, made of stout frame work, placed in front of the leading engine, to which it is attached. 1891 C. Roberts Adrift in Amer. 247 Most English people know the wedge-shaped pilot in front of the American engine well enough by repute to recognise it. 1909 ‘O. Henry’ Roads of Destiny xiv. 235 The train with the tiny Stars and Stripes fluttering from the engine pilot arrived. 1977 R. Whitaker Foder's Railways of World 97 From pilot to the back of the tender is a distance of 98 feet and the height is 15½ feet. †7. An instrument for detecting the error of a compass. Obsolete. rare. ΚΠ 1890 Webster's Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Pilot,..an instrument for detecting the compass error. 8. Telecommunications. More fully pilot tone. An unmodulated reference signal transmitted with another signal for purposes of control or synchronization; = pilot signal n. 2b. ΘΚΠ society > communication > telecommunication > [noun] > signal > types of pilot1935 back scatter1957 pilot signal1968 1935 Proc. IRE 23 702 The high degree of frequency stability required for single side-band suppressed-carrier transmissions can be dispensed with by transmitting a pilot frequency over the channel. 1957 D. G. Fink Television Engin. Handbk. xviii. 31 The L3 system makes use of six pilots for dynamic regulating and equalizing purposes. These are 308, 556, 2,064, 3,096, 7,266, and 8,320 kc. 1966 M. Schwartz et al. Communication Syst. & Techniques xi. 492 One technique for monitoring the channel state in a digital signaling system would be to transmit a pilot tone (unmodulated tone) along with the information-bearing waveforms. 1993 What Hi-Fi? Oct. 40 You could be suffering from what's called Pilot Tone interference, caused by the tuner upsetting the tape deck's biasing. 2000 IEEE Trans. Signal Processing 50 1215/1 Distinct precoders require half the number of pilots than identical precoders to achieve the same channel estimation accuracy. 9. a. Motorcycling. Short for pilot jet n. at Compounds 2. ΘΚΠ society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > motorcycle > [noun] > parts of engine > parts of carburettor pilot jet1925 pilot1939 1939 ‘N. I.’ Bk. New Imperial (ed. 5) 7 It will be necessary to re-check the pilot setting if this has been disturbed. 1987 Super Bike June 68/2 All I wanted to do was trickle through the slow corners on the pilot. b. Short for pilot light n. 1b, 2. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > artificial light defined by light-source > [noun] > gaslight or lamp > pilot light pilot light1881 pilot flame1895 pilot burner1920 pilot1951 the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > artificial light defined by light-source > electric light > [noun] > used to indicate that something is switched on pilot lamp1884 pea lamp1921 pilot light1929 pilot1973 1951 Sci. Monthly Apr. p. vi/2 If the gas pilot does not ignite, the oil valve cannot open. 1964 E. Berckman Simple Case of Ill-will x. 98 I smelled gas!.. There's a pilot on your cooker, an open flame. 1973 R. L. Simon Big Fix (1974) vi. 48 All the lights were out except for a couple of pilots beneath the tape decks. 1995 Sun (Baltimore) 21 Oct. d1/3 As I looked at the gas furnace, knowing I would soon be vacuuming out its dusty insides and lighting its pilot. 10. Short for pilot wire n. at Compounds 2. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > electrical power, electricity > distribution system > [noun] > cable > auxiliary cable pilot wire1890 pilot cable1912 pilot1940 1940 Chambers's Techn. Dict. 644/1 Pilot, in power systems, a conductor used for auxiliary purposes, not for the transmission of energy. 1957 M. D. Kippen in E. O. Taylor Power Syst. Communications i. 6 It has been the policy of many city undertakings when laying power cables to lay protection pilots and, in some cases, telephone pilots in the same trench. 1966 W. J. Cheetham in E. O. Taylor & G. A. Boal Electr. Power Distribution 415V–33kV iii. 125 Post-office pilots are much more prone to interference during maintenance work on adjacent communication circuits. 1987 Physics Bull. Mar. 94/1 The bulk of this communication network uses metallic telephone circuits (pilots). 11. An experimental undertaking designed to assess the viability of a full-scale project or activity; spec. a test episode of a projected television series used to gauge audience reaction. Cf. B. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > [noun] > an experiment > an experimental project or undertaking pilot1953 society > communication > broadcasting > television > [noun] > a television broadcast > types of nemo1927 telecinema1928 teletalkie1929 telecine1935 colourcast1947 schools television1952 pilot1953 instructional television1954 telepolitics1958 tele-vérité1964 access1970 telefilm1971 bottle show1976 reality television1978 bottle episode2003 1953 Sponsor 13 July 183/3 As an indication of new show costs, the pilot for ABC's new Danny Thomas situation-comedy film came to a higher tab than I Love Lucy. 1955 Valley News (Van Nuys, California) 3 Nov. 3 b/3 Jimmie Best..[was] talking about his new television pilot ‘Circuit Judge’. 1962 Listener 18 Oct. 633/2 A little tighter and tauter and the production would have looked for all the world like a pilot for a new series. 1971 Inside Kenya Today Mar. 9/1 If this pilot is successful an important export oriented mining enterprise will be established. 1990 Screen Internat. 24 Mar. 9/1 The four networks unveiled a total of 99 pilots..for the upcoming autumn season. B. adj. (attributive). a. That serves as a prototype or trial prior to a full-scale operation or activity; experimental, initial. Cf. pilot hole n. 2. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > [adjective] > of a project pilot1893 1893 R. Hart Let. 28 May in J. K. Fairbank et al. I. G. in Peking (1975) II. 889 I have had to accept Philips' resignation—vide ‘N.C. Herald’ for Newchwang Consular Decree granting a pilot divorce and branding P. as ‘guilty of adultery’. 1915 Times 1 July 14/3 The pilot plant has been erected, and the tests upon the ore have commenced. 1934 Planning 1 xvii. 9 Actually research has become specialised not only by subjects but by processes and each process—background, basic, ad hoc and pilot, or whatever else they may be termed—is inseparable from the one before it and from the one after it. 1948 Proc. Symp. Large-scale Digital Calculating Machinery 1947 84 The danger lurking in this procedure may be illustrated by a pilot example. 1952 W. J. H. Sprott Social Psychol. vi. 102 The ‘open-end’ question may be used in a pilot survey, which helps to determine the multiple-answer question. 1957 R. K. Merton Social Theory (rev. ed.) ii. x. 387 The initial substantive aim of this pilot study was fourfold. 1971 Brit. Med. Bull. 27 6/2 Sensitivity and specificity may be assessed from the results of a pilot trial undertaken on a group of individuals similar to those who are to be screened. 1986 R. Cameron Portage i. 2 This pilot scheme had 13 families, three home teachers, a supervisor and a small management team. 2003 Independent 11 Feb. (Review section) 11/1 Ministers agreed to fund a pilot project giving 46 people the chance to ‘shadow’ magistrates. b. spec. Designating a test episode of a projected television series used to gauge audience reaction. ΚΠ 1951 N. Johnson Let. 25 Oct. (1981) 71 A good deal of this stuff, like those daffy pilot films, is being made on shoelace tips. 1966 T. Pynchon Crying of Lot 49 ii. 33 They've done the pilot film of a TV series, in fact, based loosely on my career. 1975 Radio Times 30 Aug. 14/2 I saw a pilot programme for the new series. 1998 Zest Sept. 13/1 Can We Still Be Friends? , LWT's newly commissioned pilot show, will quiz twentysomethings on how well they know their ex! Compounds C1. attributive. Designating a vessel used by a pilot (sense A. 1a). pilot brig n. ΚΠ 1844 J. Tomlin Missionary Jrnls. 368 We met with another pilot brig going up to Calcutta. 1998 Press (Christchurch, N.Z.) (Nexis) 30 Dec. 20 The brigantine Corsair..was wrecked in the bay in 1861... Previously, it had been a Calcutta pilot brig on the Hooghly River. pilot craft n. ΚΠ 1861 Sci. Amer. 9 Mar. 154/1 The New York pilot craft were in fact our first American yachts. 1969 Times 2 Apr. (Hovercraft & Hydrofoils Special Rep.) p. ii/5 [The hovercraft] is also attracting great interest..as a river and coastal patrol vessel, as a pilot craft, [etc.]. 2000 Florida Times-Union (Nexis) 16 Oct. a6 About two to three support vessels were around the Cole, including pilot craft and a garbage barge. pilot cutter n. ΚΠ 1785 Daily Universal Reg. 27 Apr. 2/2 Commodore Thompson..takes with him the Termagant of 24 guns, and Pilot cutter. 1935 ‘A. Andrews’ Blue Tunnyman vi. 93 No one taught me more than Mr. J. Paine..in a converted Bristol pilot cutter. 1997 Classic Boat May 91/3 Born in 1862 on Southampton pilot cutter lines.., Mermaid now lies distressed in the Tamar mud at Weir Quay Boatyard in Devon. pilot launch n. ΚΠ 1845 Amer. Whig Rev. Oct. 430/2 [He] had been a rower in the pilot launch of the bar of St. Augustine. 1900 Times 21 Aug. 4/5 Steamer Yarmouth Belle collided yesterday evening with pilot launch Duke of York. 1990 Lifeboat (RNLI) Spring 225/3 The helmsman made a very difficult but skilled transfer to a pilot launch which was on passage nearby. pilot schooner n. ΚΠ 1794 J. Ritchie in Oriental Navigator 302 I traced the bank off Palmiras in the Mercury pilot schooner. 1899 Overland Monthly Mar. 219/1 Within a radius of twenty miles are the light-stations at Tillamook Rock, Point Adams, Cape Disappointment, the light-ship, and, lastly, the pilot schooner. 1989 Wooden Boat Catal. Fall 41/1 The pilot schooner.., a gill-netter on Puget Sound, a French lugger on the coast of Normandy,..and more. pilot sloop n. ΚΠ 1738 W. Stephens Jrnl. 6 Oct. in Jrnl. Proc. Georgia (1742) I. 300 I called upon Donald Stewart, Master of the Pilot Sloop, and rebuked him for his (almost continual) Indolence. 1896 Daily News 5 Dec. 5/7 The pilot-sloop, with half a dozen Exmouth pilots, put off to assist the vessel and get her off. 1995 Chicago Tribune (Nexis) 23 July 1 A 33-foot pilot sloop built in 1948. pilot vessel n. ΚΠ 1783 J. Capper Observ. Passage to India 3 Apply..for one or more of the Company's cruizers,..the one for yourself, and another small one for a tender or pilot-vessel. 1908 Man. Seamanship I. vii. Pl. facing p. 232 (caption) A Steam Pilot Vessel under way, showing Red Globular Light under the usual Masthead Light. 2001 Maritime Reporter & Engin. News Sept. 53/1 Given that the pilot vessel was well known to the pilots, they encountered few distractions with the underway training environment. C2. pilot balloon n. a small balloon used for signalling, to test the wind direction, or (now usually) to carry instruments to record or transmit data about the atmosphere; a ballon-sonde; also figurative. ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > study or science of weather > meteorological instruments > [noun] > upper air wind instruments pilot balloon1802 rawin1967 1802 Sporting Mag. 20 295/1 A Pilot Balloon, as it is called, was first launched. 1846 C. G. F. Gore Sketches Eng. Char. (1852) 155 To..send up..such a pilot-balloon as might fore-arm and forewarn his patron of the object of their mission. 1924 J. E. Hodgson Hist. Aeronaut. Great Brit. i. 22 The use of pilot balloons, or ballons-sondes, capable of carrying recording instruments to immense heights. 1993 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) B. 340 399/2 A pilot balloon tracked by the scanning radar provided an estimate of the wind velocity. pilot biscuit n. U.S. a large, hard biscuit or cracker; ship's biscuit. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > biscuit > [noun] > ship's biscuit ship bread1598 bread1625 ship's biscuit1634 pilot bread1788 midshipman's nuts1828 hardtack1830 pilot biscuit1836 pantile1874 Liverpool pantile1899 1836 T. Power Impressions of Amer. I. 21 Lift a piece of pilot biscuit, request some kind soul to shave the under side of the corned round for you, then..fly the place and seek the deck. 1877 Edwardsville (Illinois) Intelligencer 6 June 3/2 Calling for two pilot biscuits, he sandwiched the blacking between them, and without flinching he ate the whole. 1944 Chicago Daily News 11 Oct. 25/1 The pilot biscuit—great flat round crackers that may be purchased at the grocer's—were toasted and lightly spread with butter. 1990 Canoe Aug. 37/3 I left the crackers in favor of traditional pilot biscuits. pilot burner n. = pilot light n. 2. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > artificial light defined by light-source > [noun] > gaslight or lamp > pilot light pilot light1881 pilot flame1895 pilot burner1920 pilot1951 1849 Times 1 Feb. 2/4 (advt.) The most powerful and brilliant gas-burner in the world is the Patent Pilot Burner, suitable to all who require a large light at little cost.] 1920 Times 2 Sept. 7/2 In fact there are three burners, but two of them are smaller pilot burners and are used for maintaining steam while the engine is standing. 2000 Gas Installer Mar. 44/1 In this article we will discuss the pilot burner design of an ASD. pilot cable n. = pilot wire n. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > electrical power, electricity > distribution system > [noun] > cable > auxiliary cable pilot wire1890 pilot cable1912 pilot1940 1912 Times 11 Sept. 18/3 A length of 66,000 metres of three-core pilot cable, and 28.000 metres of armoured telephone cable, which will also be laid direct in the ground. 2002 Power Engin. Internat. (Nexis) 1 Oct. 25 The land connection is composed of a high voltage cable, two medium voltage return cables.., a triple conduct for the telecommunication cables and a pilot cable for the check and surveillance of the line. pilot chute n. = pilot parachute n. ΘΚΠ society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > parachute > [noun] > part which leads out main parachute pilot chute1920 pilot parachute1922 1920 Gettysburg (Pa.) Times 27 Sept. 2/3 The pilot chute springs open automatically, and catching the rush of air, draws the main chute from the pack on the back of the aviator. 1973 ‘A. Hall’ Tango Briefing x. 118 Free fall... Seven, eight, nine. Pull it. Crack of the pilot 'chute. Then the jerk and the drag. 1994 Skydiving Feb. 2/4 The jumper saw Creecy reaching for the handle of her pull out pilot chute at an altitude between 2000 to 2500 feet. pilot driver n. originally Railways an engine driver who guides another over an unfamiliar route; (later also) a person who guides another in a car or other vehicle. ΘΚΠ society > travel > rail travel > railway worker > [noun] > train-staff > engine-driver > specific type shunter1852 pilot driver1867 switch-engineer1906 1867 Times 1 May 9/6 The wages of drivers commence at 5s. per day for a pilot driver. 1907 Westm. Gaz. 15 Feb. 7/1 Drivers should not be allowed to drive an engine over a road that they were not acquainted with without a pilot driver. 1971 News Jrnl. (Mansfield, Ohio) 28 Mar. (Family Weekly section) 2/1 If you rent a car in Rome..request at the same time the service of a pilot driver to take you to the edge of town. pilot engine n. Railways (a) a locomotive coupled to another to assist in pulling a heavy load or ascending a steep gradient; (b) = pilot locomotive n.; (c) a locomotive used for shunting or for moving rolling stock over a particular short section of track. ΘΚΠ society > travel > rail travel > rolling stock > [noun] > locomotive > steam locomotive > to assist in climbing steep slopes bank engine1835 banking engine1838 pilot engine1839 banker1852 bank1866 roof garden1932 1839 Ann. Reg. 1838 Chron. 40/1 His engine came into collision with another pilot engine. 1859 Jrnl. Soc. Arts 20 May 462/1 Drawing a heavy load up the incline from Southampton to Andover..without the aid of a pilot engine. 1860 K. Cornwallis Royalty in New World xxvii. 238 A pilot engine ran two miles ahead of the royal train. 1947 T. A. Bailey Woodrow Wilson & Great Betrayal vi. 103 The party was to be carried on a special train, which, for purposes of safety, was to be preceded by a pilot engine. 1955 Railway Mag. May 302/1 A halt was made at Blarney, to detach the pilot engine. 1997 Mod. Railways July 456/3 No. 97654's final claim to fame..was as engineers' pilot engine on the Paddington ‘throat’ track remodelling. pilot error n. misjudgement on the part of an aircraft pilot, considered as a factor in air accidents. ΚΠ 1941 Lethbridge (Alberta) Herald 12 Apr. 10/1 The possibility of an element of pilot error cannot be entirely disregarded. 1990 Flight Internat. 25 July 28/2 A British human factors expert who specialises in pilot error..launched a damning attack on the whole air transport system. pilot flag n. Nautical either of two types of signalling flag, one used to request a pilot and one used to indicate that a pilot is on board; cf. pilot jack n., pilot signal n. 1. ΚΠ 1845 Times 16 Oct. 8/4 All the pilot flags on board the pilot vessels are hoisted half-mast high today. 1856 C. Lanman Adventures Wilds U.S. II. 312 If a returning whale ship happens to come in sight,..and has a pilot-flag at her mast, the races to board the ship are sometimes exciting. 1951 Daily Gleaner (Kingston, Jamaica) 21 June 6/1 A ship will approach the three mile limit flying the pilot flag. 1996 Australian (Nexis) 1 Jan. It is not necessary to fly the Pilot Flag in the dark. † pilot frame n. Railways Obsolete a bogie supporting the front end of a locomotive. ΚΠ 1843 J. Weale Ensamples Railway Making p. xx Engines having..what is termed a truck or pilot frame. 1889 Hornellsville (N.Y.) Weekly Tribune 26 Apr. 5/2 He was struck by the pilot frame of train 3 going east Saturday night. pilot ground n. Nautical (now rare) = pilot water n. ΚΠ 1841 J. L. Stephens Incidents Trav. Central Amer. I. i. 10 Avoiding altogether the regular pilot-ground, at midnight [we] reached St. George's Bay. 1882 Morning Oregonian (Portland, Oregon) 12 Sept. A vessel in tow of a steam tug anywhere on the ‘river’ pilot ground [is exempt from compulsory pilotage]. 1953 S. E. Morison By Land & by Sea i. ii. 62 (note) Andrew Jackson in 1859–60 made the pilot grounds off the Farallones in 89 days 4 hours from New York. † pilot guard n. Railways Obsolete a guard responsible for guiding trains over single-line sections of track. ΘΚΠ society > travel > rail travel > railway worker > [noun] > director of trains on temporary single line pilotman1862 pilot guard1863 1863 Times 18 Mar. 5/2 The pilot guard (who was on the engine) mistook a white light from the engine of the 9.20 passenger train..as a signal from the pointsman to advance. 1921 Dict. Occup. Terms (1927) §702 Pilot guard, a guard..who pilots trains over portion [sic] of line where single line working is necessitated, or over bridges under repair. pilot jack n. Nautical a white-bordered Union Jack formerly flown to request a pilot, and now used as a jack for civil shipping; cf. pilot flag n. ΘΚΠ society > communication > indication > signalling > visual signalling > flag signalling > [noun] > signal flag > specific black flag1583 yellow flag1587 red flag1748 yellow jack1753 Blue Peter1754 fire flag1798 recall1832 pilot jack1848 homeward-bound pennant1853 powder flag1864 paying-off pennant1869 Peter1890 storm flag1896 negative flag1897 blackball1966 1848 Times 29 Aug. 8/5 The Termagant made her appearance at the mouth of the harbour, with the pilot jack at her fore. 1894 C. N. Robinson Brit. Fleet 96 When surrounded by a white border it [sc. the ‘jack’]..is a signal for a pilot, and..it is known as a ‘Pilot jack’. 1989 M. Wiggins John Dollar (1990) ii. 59 Behind these two, hoisting a dipped Pilot Jack from her foresail peak..there ran John's boat. pilot jacket n. (a) = pea-jacket n.; (b) a jacket of the type worn by (military) aircraft pilots. ΘΚΠ the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) > [noun] > coat > types of > overcoat > types of pee1483 shuba1598 surtout1686 wrap-rascal1716 pea-jacket1717 box coat1718 toggy1742 jockey-coata1745 redingote1770 Polonese coat1774 pea coat1790 spencer1795 grego1809 benjamin1810 bang-up1835 pilot jacket1839 pilot coat1840 Petersham1842 taglioni1843 Chesterfield1852 siphonia1853 raglan1857 Inverness overcoat1865 immensikoff1870 Ulster1876 ulsterette1881 coat1889 polonaise1890 covert coata1893 benny1903 macfarlane1920 1839 E. Stirling Grace Darling (front matter) Guernsey frock, pilot jacket, petticoat trowsers, and boots. 1912 A. Conan Doyle Lost World iii. 23 The door was opened by an odd, swarthy, dried-up person of uncertain age, with a dark pilot jacket and brown leather gaiters. 1995 J. Miller Voxpop xiii. 190 You used to get loads of people in pilot jackets and combats and then it completely changed, you wear what you want. pilot jet n. Mechanics (in the carburettor of a motorcycle engine) a small jet with a narrow bore designed to deliver petrol at a low rate when the engine is idling. ΘΚΠ society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > motorcycle > [noun] > parts of engine > parts of carburettor pilot jet1925 pilot1939 1925 A. W. Judge Carburettors & Carburation iv. 100 There is a slow running, or idling passage, of the usual pilot jet type. 1976 New Motorcycle Monthly Oct. 46/1 The pilot jet which is situated just in front of the main jet, should next be removed and checked for blockages. pilot locomotive n. a separate locomotive preceding a train (esp. one carrying important passengers) to ensure that the line is clear. ΚΠ 1842 Times 29 Jan. 5/5 If..any obstacle arises on the railroad, by which the pilot locomotive is stopped or disordered in its course. 1907 Westm. Gaz. 21 Sept. 12/2 An antique pilot-locomotive slouched out and stopped. 2002 Baltimore Sun (Nexis) 10 Aug. 2 d A pilot locomotive slowly chugged ahead of the presidential special, forcing people off the tracks. pilot officer n. (a) U.S. a senior coastal pilot (now rare); (b) (also with capital initials) an officer holding the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force, or any of various other (esp. Commonwealth) air forces. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > hostilities in the air > airman > [noun] > officer in air force > pilot officer pilot officer1875 1875 Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) 14 Feb. The Sandy Hook pilot officer reports that the bay is worse than ever. 1910 Washington Post 14 Aug. (Miscellany section) 1/3 The Secretary of the pilot officers also communicated with the various pilots telling them to keep a sharp lookout for the Victoria. 1919 Monthly Air Force List Aug. 15 Air Ministry... Directorate of Personnel... Staff Officers, 3rd Class... Dawes, Pilot Officer H., Gunn, Pilot Officer D.B. 1983 J. D. Harvey Tumbling Mirth (1986) 141 As a sprog Pilot Officer I shared a cabin with three Australian gentlemen who were also navigators and also Pilot Officers. 1993 Dict. National Biogr. at Farnes, Kenneth With the coming of war, he became a pilot officer in the RAF. pilot parachute n. a small parachute used to deploy a main one. ΘΚΠ society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > parachute > [noun] > part which leads out main parachute pilot chute1920 pilot parachute1922 1922 Times 8 Apr. 16/1 (caption) A safety device is being tried... It consists of a small ‘pilot’ parachute which, on being released, pulls out a second envelope. 1990 Sci. Amer. May 77/1 The pilot parachute should deploy the main parachute smoothly and quickly (that is, within a few tenths of a second). † pilot's anchor n. Nautical Obsolete rare a small anchor used to moor a vessel in a tideway (see quot. 1867). ΚΠ 1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Pilot's anchor, a kedge used for dropping a vessel in a stream or tide-way. pilot tone n. see sense A. 8. pilot tower n. Nautical (a) a part of a ship from which a pilot navigates (now rare); (b) a tower used by coastal pilots to observe approaching ships. ΚΠ 1865 Times 19 Dec. 10/2 The ship was quick in answering her helm, and her steering arrangements are excellent, having one wheel in front of the poop, and a second under the pilot tower forward. 1902 Delphos (Ohio) Daily Herald 22 Aug. 2/3 Immovable in his high pilot-tower the Indian stood,..firmly grasping the spokes of the wheel. 1989 St. Louis (Missouri) Post-Dispatch (Nexis) 28 June 14 a ‘I recommended that he head the vessel more toward’ the pilot tower, the local pilot..told the hearing. 2003 Workboat (Nexis) 60 30 Hanna..made the short drive to the Cape Henry pilot tower, one of the first points of contact for vessels entering U.S. waters off the Virginia coast. pilot train n. a train preceding another (esp. one carrying important passengers) to ensure that the line is clear. ΚΠ 1868 Decatur (Illinois) Republican 5 Nov. 6/3 A pilot train..started a few minutes before that of the royal family. 1947 Cape Argus 22 Feb. 4 We in the pilot train are at first sight everywhere mistaken for the royal train itself. 2003 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 23 Feb. 4/4 The railroad also ran trains to clear snow from the overhead wires.., and a train with a plow on it called a ‘pilot train’ to clear the tracks. pilot tunnel n. a small tunnel or section of tunnelling used to guide the excavation of a main tunnel. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > equipment > earth-moving and excavating equipment > [noun] > tunnelling equipment poling board1837 shield1837 packing-board1850 pilot tunnel1881 subterrene1956 mole1960 1881 Manufacturer & Builder Nov. 256/3 The plan of pushing a small pilot tunnel in advance of the work at the headings..is to be commended. 1958 Engineering 18 Apr. 502/1 Short pilot tunnels were driven out from the shore on both sides of the Channel. 2002 New Scientist 6 Apr. 13/1 The pilot tunnel they were boring through solid granite suddenly ran into a kind of sand called sugar-grain dolomite. pilot valve n. Engineering a small auxiliary valve that is operated in association with a larger valve. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > control(s) > [noun] > valve > others washer1596 turncock1702 air cock1709 Jack-in-the-box1728 runner1754 stop-valve1829 three-way cock1838 ball valve1839 relief valve1846 poppet valve1851 plunger valve1854 pot-lid1856 reflux valve1857 screw-down1864 mica valve1880 tide flap1884 tube-valve1884 swing-tap1892 relay valve1894 Schrader1895 pilot valve1900 mixer valve1904 spool valve1908 spill valve1922 safety valving1930 three-way1939 1900 Times 2 July 15/6 The latent defect in the steering gear was stated..to have been a flaw in the casting of the pilot valve spindle of the reducing valve, which caused the spindle to break. 1953 E. Molloy Maintenance Engineers' Pocket Bk. ii. 67 In large boilers..the pilot valve should be opened to warm up the steam main before the main stop valve is opened, thus avoiding the danger of water hammer. 1992 Mech. Products & Tools July 1539/1 This range of power solenoid and pilot valves offers a wide choice of applications. pilot weed n. the compass plant, Silphium laciniatum (family Asteraceae ( Compositae)), a tall, deep-rooted North American plant bearing large flowers similar to sunflowers. ΘΚΠ the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Compositae (composite plants) > [noun] > compass-plant or silphium silphium1771 turpentine weed1819 rosinweed1831 resinweed1838 polar plant1842 compass-flower1847 compass-plant1848 cup-plant1848 pilot weed1848 turpentine shrub- 1848 W. H. Emory Notes Mil. Reconnaissance 11 in U.S. Congress. Serial Set (30th Congr., 1st Sess.: House of Representatives Exec. Doc. 41) IV In the uplands..occasionally is found the wild tea,..and pilot weed. 1885 Girl's Own Paper Jan. 171/1 The compass plant—variously known, also, as the pilot weed, polar plant, and turpentine weed—is a vigorous perennial. 1996 Chiltern Seeds Catal. 219 Compass Plant, Pilot Weed, Polar Plant. The most famous plant from the American Prairies, this is an aristocratic species growing to 6 ft. or more. pilot whale n. either of two whales of the genus Globicephala (family Delphinidae), characterized by black skin and a square bulbous head; (a) the long-finned G. melas, of cold-temperate waters of the Atlantic and Southern Oceans; (b) the short-finned G. macrorhynchus, of mainly tropical and warm-temperate waters. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > mammals > order Cetacea (whales) > suborder Odontoceti > [noun] > family Delphinidae > genus Globicephala (pilot-whale) social whale1842 pothead1863 ca'ing-whalec1865 pilot whale1867 1867 Athenæum 21 Sept. 373/1 The pilot whale, Globiocephalus Svinevaly. 1921 J. T. Jenkins Hist. Whale Fisheries viii. 268 A third whale fishery practised in northern waters..was that for the Grindhval or Pilot Whale. 1989 Skin Diver May 129/1 Visiting divers have bumped into docile giants such as humpback and pilot whales. 2002 Environmental Health Perspectives 110 895 In the Faroe Islands.., the traditional diet includes pilot whale meat. pilot wheel n. (a) a small undriven wheel used to guide a locomotive, piece of machinery, etc.; (b) a ship's wheel. ΚΠ 1858 De Bow's Rev. May 391 In this estimate freight cars include gravel and baggage cars, and for accuracy in our estimate we shall reduce all driving and pilot-wheels to bearing-wheels. 1894 Overland Monthly July 31/2 We stood on the upper deck above the pilot wheel, noting with keen interest our course through this narrow passage. 1975 Post-Crescent (Appleton, Wisconsin) 10 Feb. b4/2 On shipboard, the binnacle is always near the pilot wheel so the pilot can guide the ship by watching the compass. 1992 Mech. Products & Tools July 1505/2 Three spoke pilot wheel for operating convenience. pilot wire n. an auxiliary electrical wire or cable for conveying information about an associated power line or telegraph line or for operating apparatus connected with one. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > electrical power, electricity > distribution system > [noun] > cable > auxiliary cable pilot wire1890 pilot cable1912 pilot1940 1890 J. W. Urquhart Electr. Light Fitting (ed. 3) x. 321 It is far more important to be informed as to the actual potential of the mains at the various points of consumption. For low tension constant current systems this is usually accomplished by the use of ‘pilot wires’. 1930 Engineering 12 Sept. 347/1 An examination of the available protective schemes not involving the use of pilot wires had shown that a close approximation to the performance of pilot protective gear could be obtained by the use of distance relays. 1968 P. J. Freeman Electr. Power x. 275 On long sections the capacitance currents between the pilot wires may be high enough to operate the relay, causing instability. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2006; most recently modified version published online June 2022). pilotv. Brit. /ˈpʌɪlət/, U.S. /ˈpaɪlət/ Forms: 1500s pilat (Scottish), 1600s pilate, 1600s pilote, 1600s–1700s pilott, 1600s– pilot. Origin: Either (i) formed within English, by conversion. Or (ii) a borrowing from French. Etymons: pilot n.; French piloter. Etymology: Either < pilot n., or < Middle French, French piloter to guide (a ship) as pilot (1484; < pilot pilot n.). 1. a. transitive. To conduct or convey (a person) in a ship or boat; to direct the course of (a vessel), esp. through difficult or dangerous waters; to guide or steer. Also occasionally intransitive: to perform the role of pilot on a vessel. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > direct or manage ship [verb (transitive)] > direct a vessel as pilot pilot1581 1581 Acts Parl. Scotl. (1814) III. 224/2 That nane of [them] conduct fraucht nor pilat onie stranger to the saidis ilis. 1685 J. Barclay tr. A. Skene Surv. Aberdeen 215 Ye can allwayes have a Boat for putting out a Vaiffe at all occasions, for Piloting you into the Harbour. 1693 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) III. 152 One Chetworth..pilotted in the French privateers that burnt the lord Widdringtons house 2 years since. 1738 E. Chambers Cycl. (ed. 2) (at cited word) Having done their parts in piloting the vessel, [pilots] return to shoar where they reside. 1776 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall I. x. 269 The assistance of captives and deserters must have been very necessary to pilot their vessels. 1851 H. Melville Moby-Dick xxii. 113 He never piloted any other craft. 1879 H. George Progress & Poverty v. ii. 256 He..can pilot himself by the sun or the stars. 1902 J. Conrad Heart of Darkness iii, in Youth 167 The long reaches that were like one and the same reach,..slipped past the steamer... I looked ahead—piloting. 1991 Canad. Geographic Dec. 28/1 Roland Tessier has been piloting the tug for 22 years. b. transitive. To act as pilot on or over (a course, route, etc.); to make (one's way). Also in extended use. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > direct or manage ship [verb (transitive)] > direct a vessel as pilot > pilot a course or stretch of water pilot1725 1725 E. Fenton in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey I. iv. 880 Mentor, captain of the lordly crew,..Safe from the secret rock and adverse storm, Pilots their course. 1846 Mechanics' Mag. July 20 [They] piloted the way with the Number 1 engine of the Stockton and Darlington Railway Company. 1871 R. Browning Hervé Riel vi, in Cornhill Mag. Mar. 258 Morn and eve, night and day, Have I piloted your bay. 1904 R. M. Williamson Bits from old Bk. Shop iii. 26 How the porter manages to pilot his way amongst the people..is a wonder. 1990 Success June 9/1 The essence of success is in piloting your own course. c. transitive. To convey (passengers) in an aircraft; to fly (an aircraft, balloon, etc.). Also occasionally intransitive. ΘΚΠ society > travel > air or space travel > transport by air > transport through the air [verb (transitive)] > fly (passengers) pilot1836 society > travel > air or space travel > action of flying (in) aircraft > fly an aircraft [verb (transitive)] fly1902 pilot1911 aviate1959 1836 Times 29 June 6/7 I would willingly pilot 30 persons through the ‘realms of air’, and bring them all safely to terra firma. 1852 Illustr. London News 18 Sept. 224/3 The veteran aëronaut who had successfully piloted them and some hundred others through the air. 1911 Daily News 20 July 2/4 The Dutch aviator has decided to pilot a..monoplane..instead of a..biplane. 1958 ‘J. Castle’ & A. Hailey Flight into Danger viii. 113 The first officer, then the captain were taken sick. Luckily there was a passenger on board who had piloted before and he took over the controls. 1992 H. N. Schwarzkopf It doesn't take Hero xxiii. 452 More than three hundred..helicopters, piloted by men and women, were transporting an entire brigade. 2. transitive. To conduct, direct, or guide (a person) over land; to act as a guide or leader for. Also in extended use. ΘΚΠ society > travel > aspects of travel > guidance in travel > show (the way) [verb (transitive)] > guide, lead, or show one the way to show the waya1382 reduct1580 directa1616 inform1637 manuduct1641 pilot1649 set1678 airt1782 steer1859 1649 J. Eliot in Early Rec. Lancaster, Mass. (1884) 16 I therefore hired a..man of Nashaway..to mark trees so that he may Pilot me thither in the spring. 1679 P. Rycaut Present State Greek Church Pref. sig. a6 He might..have accomplished a work of Reformation, and piloted the Church into that state of Apostolical Purity. 1761 J. Wesley Jrnl. 18 Apr. He piloted us over the next mountain. 1788 G. Washington Diaries (1925) III. 361 We set off, pilotted by Mr. Hough thro' by Roads. 1839 C. Dickens Nicholas Nickleby xxi. 202 The big footman..piloted them in perfect safety to the street-door. 1876 Ld. Tennyson Harold i. i. 12 Go—the Saints Pilot and prosper all thy wandering out And homeward. 1904 H. O. Sturgis Belchamber xviii. 251 She deftly piloted the discussion to other projects. 1994 Guardian Good Health Guide Fall–Winter 15/1 Being organized yourself will help you pilot your brood through the oft-turbulent holiday season. 3. transitive. Politics. To secure the passage of (a bill) through a legislative assembly. ΘΚΠ society > law > legislation > make (laws) or establish as law [verb (transitive)] > secure or promote passage of bill promote1721 pilot1824 sponsor1961 1824 Times 6 Apr. 2/1 He had undertaken the office of piloting it [sc. the bill] through the house. 1884 Edinb. Courant 7 May 4/4 The Attourney-General safely piloted through the House of Commons a Corrupt Practices Bill. 1929 Randolph Enterprise (Elkins, W. Va.) 21 Mar. 1/4 The bill..piloted..thru the House by Representative Karl Kyle. 1976 Leicester Mercury 16 July 4 It now goes to the Lords. It is likely to be piloted there by Liberal Lord Avebury. 2003 Evening Times (Glasgow) 15 Jan. 2 Karen Gillon..has piloted the Bill to this stage. 4. transitive. To test (a scheme, project, etc.) on a small scale before introducing it more widely; to conduct preliminary trials of; to try out. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > endeavour > trial or experiment > make experiment of or with [verb (transitive)] > use experimentally pilot1960 1960 Sunday Times 10 Jan. 14/6 Practically all these devices for saving time and labour have been piloted in the fifties. 1977 Jrnl. Royal Soc. Arts 125 308/2 Not only does he [sc. the skilled question designer] pilot his questionnaire, but periodically he tests his questions to find out how they are actually understood. 1999 Courier-Mail (Brisbane) 20 May 24/6 The [television] show was piloted recently and has been given the green light. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2006; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < n.adj.1481v.1581
随便看	set the tortoise to catch the hare set the world on aflame set the world on alight set the world on etc set the world on fire set their heads together set them up set theoretic set theory set through set to set to corners set to farm set to for sale, a-sale set to for sale, asale set to forfalt set to gavel set to grass set to her mettle set to his mettle set to lore set to mast set to mortgage set to music set to on sale, a-sale

pilotn.adj.

Compounds

pilotv.