Etymology From Middle French pilot, pillot, from Italian pilota, piloto, older also pedotta, pedot(t)o (the form in pil- is probably influenced by pileggiare (“to sail, navigate”)); ultimately from unattested Byzantine Greek *πηδώτης (*pēdṓtēs, “helmsman”), from Ancient Greek πηδόν (pēdón, “blade of an oar, oar”), hence also Ancient and Modern Greek πηδάλιον (pēdálion, “rudder”).
They scud before the wind, and sail in open sea. Ahead of all the master pilot steers; And, as he leads, the following navy veers.1697, Virgil, “The First Book of the Æneis”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
2
A person who knows well the depths, shoals, and currents of a harbor or coastal area, who is hired by a vessel to help navigate the harbor or coast.
A guide or escort through an unknown or dangerous area.
So we mounted our horses, and put out for that town, under the direction of two friendly Creeks we had taken for pilots.1834, David Crockett, A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett, E. L. Cary and A. Hart, page 43
8
Something serving as a test or trial.
We would like to run a pilot in your facility before rolling out the program citywide.
“I agreed with my husband when he said that to do the business properly we must do a pilot first.”2018, Tsitsi Dangarembga, This Mournable Body, Faber & Faber (2020), page 40:
9
Business, Mining The heading or excavation of relatively small dimensions, first made in the driving of a larger tunnel.
Broadcasting, Media, Television A sample episode of a proposed TV series produced to decide if it should be made or not. If approved, typically the first episode of an actual TV series.
I think her biggest deal was she starred in a pilot.[…]Well, the way they pick TV shows is they make one show. That show's called a pilot. Then they show that one show to the people who pick shows, and on the strength of that one show, they decide if they wanna make more shows.1994, Quentin Tarantino, Roger Avary, Pulp Fiction, spoken by Jules (Samuel L. Jackson):
Julia has become quite a good kite pilot. She has learned how to repeatedly buzz her father's head, coming within two feet, and not hitting him.2003, John P. Glaser, A Father's Collage, page 31:
17
A short plug, sometimes made interchangeable, at the end of a counterbore to guide the tool.
Etymology From Middle French pilot, pillot, from Italian pilota, piloto, older also pedotta, pedot(t)o (the form in pil- is probably influenced by pileggiare (“to sail, navigate”)); ultimately from unattested Byzantine Greek *πηδώτης (*pēdṓtēs, “helmsman”), from Ancient Greek πηδόν (pēdón, “blade of an oar, oar”), hence also Ancient and Modern Greek πηδάλιον (pēdálion, “rudder”).
1
Made or used as a test or demonstration of capability.
a pilot run of the new factory
The pilot plant showed the need for major process changes.
2
Used to control or activate another device.
a pilot light
3
Being a vehicle to warn other road users of the presence of an oversize vehicle or combination.
a pilot vehicle
pilot
verb
Etymology From Middle French pilot, pillot, from Italian pilota, piloto, older also pedotta, pedot(t)o (the form in pil- is probably influenced by pileggiare (“to sail, navigate”)); ultimately from unattested Byzantine Greek *πηδώτης (*pēdṓtēs, “helmsman”), from Ancient Greek πηδόν (pēdón, “blade of an oar, oar”), hence also Ancient and Modern Greek πηδάλιον (pēdálion, “rudder”).
1
To control (an aircraft or watercraft).
I have visited more than half a dozen carrier training facilities, spent over 150 hours on jumpseats, piloted a Lockheed 1011 from MIA to LAX, visited numerous towers, rapcons, and centers, and discussed our commercial Air Transport System with everyone involved.1975, John H. Reed, Transportation Safety Board, Safety Information, page 30:
2
To guide (a vessel) through coastal waters.
3
To test or have a preliminary trial of (an idea, a new product, television show, etc.)
One of the Midland Lines' Birmingham R.C.W. Type 2 diesels, No. D5403, made the debut of its class in the Manchester area on July 28 when it appeared in the early hours on freight; after four days in the area it left for the south piloting B.R./Sulzer Type 4 diesel No. D88 on the 2.25 Manchester Central-St. Pancras.1962 October, “Motive Power Miscellany: London Midland Region: Midland Lines”, in Modern Railways, page 279:
5
To guide or conduct (a person) somewhere.
Thus it came about that, three days later, I descended from the train at Styles St. Mary, an absurd little station, with no apparent reason for existence, perched up in the midst of green fields and country lanes. John Cavendish was waiting on the platform, and piloted me out to the car.1920, Agatha Christie, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, London: Pan Books, published 1954, page 7: