n.
Pronunciation: ' p ī -l ə t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French pilote, from Italian pilota, alteration of pedota, from Middle Greek *p ē d ō t ē s, from Greek p ē da steering oars, plural of p ē don oar; probably akin to Greek pod-, pous foot ― more at FOOT
Date: 1530
1 a : one employed to steer a ship : HELMSMAN b : a person who is qualified and usually 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 \ -l ə s \ adjective