SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

pilot engine

noun

Definition of pilot engine

:a locomotive going in advance of a train to make sure that the way is clear

First Known Use of pilot engine

1838

Seen and Heard

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WORD OF THE DAY

nuncupative

play

spoken rather than written

Words at Play

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Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Where did we get 'freshman' and 'sophomore'?

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The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

In the past, you could invent fruit.

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I'll Have the Us(ual)

Shortening 'usual': easy to say, hard to spell

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The Origins of 'Lobbyist'

From the front hallways to the back rooms

Ask the Editors

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Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

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Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

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Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

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The Exceptions Quiz III

Which of these things doesn't belong?

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Forms of Government Quiz

Name that government! Or something like that.

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Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

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SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

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