[pahy-luht] 
| 1. | a person duly qualified to steer ships into or out of a harbor or through certain difficult waters. |
| 2. | a person who steers a ship. |
| 3. | Aeronautics. a person duly qualified to operate an airplane, balloon, or other aircraft. |
| 4. | a guide or leader: the pilot of the expedition. |
| 5. | coast pilot (def. 1). |
| 6. | pilot light (def. 1). |
| 7. | Machinery. a guide for centering or otherwise positioning two adjacent parts, often consisting of a projection on one part fitting into a recess in the other. |
| 8. | Railroads. cowcatcher. |
| 9. | Also called pilot film, pilot tape. Television. a prototypical filmed or taped feature, produced with hopes of network adoption as a television series and aired to test potential viewer interest and attract sponsors. |
| 10. | a preliminary or experimental trial or test: The school will offer a pilot of its new computer course. |
| 11. | to steer. |
| 12. | to lead, guide, or conduct, as through unknown places, intricate affairs, etc. |
| 13. | to act as pilot on, in, or over. |
| 14. | to be in charge of or responsible for: We're looking for someone to pilot the new project. |
| 15. | serving as an experimental or trial undertaking prior to full-scale operation or use: a pilot project. |
tēs steersman, equiv. to pēd(á) rudder (pl. of pēdón oar) + -ōtēs agent suffix