Pi·lot n.
 1. Naut. One employed to steer a vessel; a helmsman; a steersman.
 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.
 3. Figuratively: A guide; a director of another through a difficult or unknown course.
 4. An instrument for detecting the compass error.
 5. The cowcatcher of a locomotive. [U.S.]
 6. Aëronautics One who flies, or is qualified to fly, an airplane, balloon, or other flying machine.
 7.  Mach. A short plug at the end of a counterbore to guide the tool. Pilots are sometimes made interchangeable.
 8.  Mining The heading or excavation of relatively small dimensions, first made in the driving of a larger tunnel.
 Pilot balloon, a small balloon sent up in advance of a large one, to show the direction and force of the wind.
 Pilot bird. Zool. (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. Zool (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 Zool. (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. Zool. Same as Blackfish, 1.


 Rud·der n.
 1. Naut. The mechanical appliance by means of which a vessel is guided or steered when in motion. It is a broad and flat blade made of wood or iron, with a long shank, and is fastened in an upright position, usually by one edge, to the sternpost of the vessel in such a way that it can be turned from side to side in the water by means of a tiller, wheel, or other attachment.
 2. Fig.: That which resembles a rudder as a guide or governor; that which guides or governs the course.
    For rhyme the rudder is of verses.   --Hudibras.
 3. In an aircraft, a surface the function of which is to exert a turning moment about an axis of the craft.
 Balance rudder Naut., a rudder pivoted near the middle instead of at the edge, -- common on sharpies.
 Drop rudder Naut., a rudder extending below the keel so as to be more effective in steering.
 Rudder chain Naut., one of the loose chains or ropes which fasten the rudder to the quarters to prevent its loss in case it gets unshipped, and for operating it in case the tiller or the wheel is broken.
 Rudder coat Naut., a covering of tarred canvas used to prevent water from entering the rudderhole.
 Rudder fish. Zool. (a) The pilot fish. (b) The amber fish (Seriola zonata), which is bluish having six broad black bands. (c) A plain greenish black American fish (Leirus perciformis); -- called also black rudder fish, logfish, and barrel fish. The name is also applied to other fishes which follow vessels.
 Rudder pendants Naut., ropes connected with the rudder chains.

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 Seriola zonata
      n : fish having the habit of following ships; found in North
          American and South American coastal waters [syn: rudderfish,
           banded rudderfish]