[pi.lot] n [MF pilote, fr. It pilota, alter. of pedota, fr. (assumed) MGk pedotes, fr. Gk peda steering oars, pl. of pedon oar; prob. akin to Gk pod-, pous foot--more at foot] (1530) 1 a: one employed to steer a ship: helmsman b: a person who is qualified and usu. licensed to conduct a ship into and out of a port or in specified waters c: a person who flies or is qualified to fly an aircraft or spacecraft
2: guide, leader
3: cowcatcher
4: a piece that guides a tool or machine part
5: a television show produced and filmed or taped as a sample of a proposed series
6: pilot light
2. -- pi.lot.less adj
[2]pilot vt (1649) 1: to act as a guide to: lead or conduct over a usu. difficult course
2. a: to set and conn the course of "~ a ship" b: to act as pilot of "~ a plane" syn see guide [3]pilot adj (1802): serving as a guiding or tracing device, an activating or auxiliary unit, or a trial apparatus or operation "a ~ study"