I. ˈpī-lət noun
Etymology: Middle French pilote, from Italian pilota, alteration of pedota, from Middle Greek * pēdōtēs, from Greek pēda steering oars, plural of pēdon 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 -ləs adjective
II. transitive verb
Date: 1649
1. : to act as a guide to : lead or conduct over a usually difficult course
2.
a. : to set and conn the course of
pilot a ship
b. : to act as pilot of
pilot a plane
Synonyms: see guide
III. adjective
Date: 1802
: serving as a guiding or tracing device, an activating or auxiliary unit, or a trial apparatus or operation
a pilot study