8 → see also automatic pilot , test pilot
pi |lot light (pilot lights ) N‑COUNT A pilot light is a small gas flame in a cooker, stove, boiler, or fire. It burns all the time and lights the main large flame when the gas is turned fully on.
pi |lot of|fic|er (pilot officers ) N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE A pilot officer is an officer of low rank in the British Royal Air Force.
pi|men|to /p I me ntoʊ/ (pimentos ) N‑VAR A pimento is a small red pepper.
pimp /p I mp/ (pimps , pimping , pimped )
1 N‑COUNT A pimp is a man who gets clients for prostitutes and takes a large part of the money the prostitutes earn.
2 VERB Someone who pimps gets clients for prostitutes and takes a large part of the money the prostitutes earn. □ [V n] He stole, lied, deceived and pimped his way out of poverty. ● pimp|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ …corruption, pimping and prostitution.
pim|per|nel /p I mpə r nel/ (pimpernels ) N‑VAR A pimpernel is a small wild plant that usually has red flowers.
pim|ple /p I mp ə l/ (pimples ) N‑COUNT Pimples are small raised spots, especially on the face. □ …spots and pimples. □ His face was covered with pimples.
pim|ply /p I mpli/ ADJ If someone is pimply or has a pimply face, they have a lot of pimples on their face. □ …pimply teenagers. □ …an old man with a pimply nose.
pin ◆◇◇ /p I n/ (pins , pinning , pinned )
1 N‑COUNT Pins are very small thin pointed pieces of metal. They are used in sewing to fasten pieces of material together until they have been sewn. □ …needles and pins.
2 VERB If you pin something on or to something, you attach it with a pin, a drawing pin, or a safety pin. □ [V n prep] They pinned a notice to the door. □ [V n with adv] He had pinned up a map of Finland.
3 VERB If someone pins you to something, they press you against a surface so that you cannot move. □ [V n adv/prep] I pinned him against the wall. □ [V n] She fought at the bulk that pinned her.
4 N‑COUNT A pin is any long narrow piece of metal or wood that is not sharp, especially one that is used to fasten two things together. □ …the 18-inch steel pin holding his left leg together.
5 VERB If someone tries to pin something on you or to pin the blame on you, they say, often unfairly, that you were responsible for something bad or illegal. □ [V n + on ] The trade unions are pinning the blame for the violence on the government.
6 VERB If you pin your hopes on something or pin your faith on something, you hope very much that it will produce the result you want. □ [V n + on ] The Democrats are pinning their hopes on the next election.
7 VERB If someone pins their hair up or pins their hair back, they arrange their hair away from their face using hair pins. □ [V n with adv] Cleanse your face thoroughly and pin back your hair. □ [V n prep] In an effort to look older she has pinned her hair into a bun.
8 N‑COUNT A pin is something worn on your clothing, for example as jewellery, which is fastened with a pointed piece of metal. [AM ] □ …necklaces, bracelets, and pins.
9 → see also drawing pin , pins and needles , rolling pin , safety pin
▸ pin down
1 PHRASAL VERB If you try to pin something down , you try to discover exactly what, where, or when it is. □ [V P n] It has taken until now to pin down its exact location. □ [V n P + to ] I can only pin it down to between 1936 and 1942. □ [V P wh] If we cannot pin down exactly what we are supposed to be managing, how can we manage it? [Also V n P ]
2 PHRASAL VERB If you pin someone down , you force them to make a decision or to tell you what their decision is, when they have been trying to avoid doing this. □ [V n P + to/on ] She couldn't pin him down to a date. □ [V n P ] If you pin people down, they will tell you some puzzling things about stress. [Also V P n (not pron)]
PIN /p I n/ N‑SING [oft N n] Someone's PIN or PIN number is a secret number which they can use, for example, with a bank card to withdraw money from a cash machine or ATM. PIN is an abbreviation for 'personal identification number'.
pina co|la|da /piː nə koʊlɑː də, [AM ] piː njə -/ (pina coladas ) N‑COUNT A pina colada is a drink made from rum, coconut juice, and pineapple juice.
pina|fore /p I nəfɔː r / (pinafores ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A pinafore or a pinafore dress is a sleeveless dress. It is worn over a blouse or sweater. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use jumper
pin|ball /p I nbɔːl/ N‑UNCOUNT Pinball is a game in which a player presses two buttons on each side of a pinball machine in order to hit a small ball to the top of the machine. The aim of the game is to prevent the ball reaching the bottom of the machine by pressing the buttons.
pi n|ball ma|chine (pinball machines ) N‑COUNT A pinball machine is a games machine on which pinball is played. It consists of a sloping table with objects that a ball hits as it rolls down.
pince-nez /pæ ns ne I / N‑PLURAL [oft a N ] Pince-nez are old-fashioned glasses that consist of two lenses that fit tightly onto the top of your nose and do not have parts that rest on your ears.