Pilot balloon

Pilot balloon
Pilot Pi"lot, n. [F. pilote, prob. from D. peillood plummet, sounding lead; peilen, pegelen, to sound, measure (fr. D. & G. peil, pegel, a sort of measure, water mark) + lood lead, akin to E. lead. The pilot, then, is the lead man, i. e., he who throws the lead. See {Pail}, and {Lead} a metal.] 1. (Naut.) One employed to steer a vessel; a helmsman; a steersman. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

2. Specifically, a person duly qualified, and licensed by authority, to conduct vessels into and out of a port, or in certain waters, for a fixed rate of fees. [1913 Webster]

3. Figuratively: A guide; a director of another through a difficult or unknown course. [1913 Webster]

4. An instrument for detecting the compass error. [1913 Webster]

5. The cowcatcher of a locomotive. [U.S.] [1913 Webster]

6. (A["e]ronautics) One who flies, or is qualified to fly, an airplane, balloon, or other flying machine. [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]

7. (Mach.) A short plug at the end of a counterbore to guide the tool. Pilots are sometimes made interchangeable. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

8. (Mining) The heading or excavation of relatively small dimensions, first made in the driving of a larger tunnel. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

9. (Television) a filmed or taped episode of a proposed television series, produced as an example of the series. It may be shown only to those television broadcast executives who may decide whether to buy the rights to the series, or aired to test viewer reaction or to interest sponsors. Also called {pilot film} or {pilot tape}. [PJC]

{Pilot balloon}, a small balloon sent up in advance of a large one, to show the direction and force of the wind.

{Pilot bird}. (Zo["o]l.) (a) A bird found near the Caribbee Islands; -- so called because its presence indicates to mariners their approach to these islands. --Crabb. (b) The black-bellied plover. [Local, U.S.]

{Pilot boat}, a strong, fast-sailing boat used to carry and receive pilots as they board and leave vessels.

{Pilot bread}, ship biscuit.

{Pilot cloth}, a coarse, stout kind of cloth for overcoats.

{Pilot engine}, a locomotive going in advance of a train to make sure that the way is clear.

{Pilot fish}. (Zo["o]l) (a) A pelagic carangoid fish ({Naucrates ductor}); -- so named because it is often seen in company with a shark, swimming near a ship, on account of which sailors imagine that it acts as a pilot to the shark. (b) The rudder fish ({Seriola zonata}).

{Pilot jack}, a flag or signal hoisted by a vessel for a pilot.

{Pilot jacket}, a pea jacket.

{Pilot nut} (Bridge Building), a conical nut applied temporarily to the threaded end of a pin, to protect the thread and guide the pin when it is driven into a hole. --Waddell.

{Pilot snake} (Zo["o]l.) (a) A large North American snake ({Coluber obsoleus}). It is lustrous black, with white edges to some of the scales. Called also {mountain black snake}. (b) The pine snake.

{Pilot whale}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Blackfish}, 1. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Pilot balloon — A small, unmanned balloon sent up to indicate the direction of air currents. [Webster 1913 Suppl.] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • pilot balloon — n. a small balloon sent up to determine the direction and velocity of the wind …   English World dictionary

  • pilot balloon observation — noun A method of winds aloft observation, temperature, and relative humidity of the upper that is, the determination of wind speeds and air and to automatically transmit that directions in the atmosphere above a station. This is done by reading… …   Wiktionary

  • pilot balloon — A small rubber balloon filled with hydrogen or helium. It ascends at a uniform and known rate (i.e., 500 ft/min). A theodolite tracks the balloon, and the wind velocity is thus determined at various levels …   Aviation dictionary

  • pilot balloon — noun meteorological balloon used to observe air currents • Hypernyms: ↑meteorological balloon …   Useful english dictionary

  • pilot balloon — a balloon for the visual observation of upper atmosphere wind currents. [1840 50] * * * …   Universalium

  • pilot balloon — noun A small unmanned balloon whose ascent is followed by a theodolite to obtain data for the computation of the speed and direction of winds in the upper air. Syn: pibal …   Wiktionary

  • pilot balloon — hot air balloon filled with gas and used for observation and information gathering …   English contemporary dictionary

  • pilot balloon — noun a small meteorological balloon used to track air currents …   English new terms dictionary

  • pilot balloon — /ˈpaɪlət bəlun/ (say puyluht buhloohn) noun a balloon used for the visual observation of upper air wind currents, etc …  

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