Beacon
Beacon (bē"k'n) , noun
[Old English bekene, Anglo-Saxon beácen, bēcen; akin to Old Saxon bōkan, Fries. baken, beken, sign, signal, Dutch baak, Old High German bouhhan, German bake; of unknown origin. Compare Beckon.]
1.
A signal fire to notify of the approach of an enemy, or to give any notice, commonly of warning.
No flaming beacons cast their blaze afar.
2.
A signal, such as that from a lighthouse, or a conspicuous mark erected on an eminence near the shore, or moored in shoal water, as a guide to mariners.
3.
A high hill near the shore. [Provincial English]
4.
That which gives notice of danger.
Modest doubt is called
The beacon of the wise.
5.
(Navigation) a radio transmitter which emits a characteristic signal indication its location, so that vehicles may determine their exact location by locating the beacon with a radio compass; -- also called radio beacon.
5.
that which provides guidance or inspiration; the Constitution has been a beacon for civil rights activists. [figurative]
Collocations (1)
Beacon fire , a signal fire.
Beacon (bē"k'nd) , transitive verb
1.
To give light to, as a beacon; to light up; to illumine.
That beacons the darkness of heaven.
2.
To furnish with a beacon or beacons.