Hypertext Webster Gateway: "beacon"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)
Beacon
a pole (Heb. to'ren) used as a standard or ensign set on the
tops of mountains as a call to the people to assemble themselves
for some great national purpose (Isa. 30:17). In Isa. 33:23 and
Ezek. 27:5, the same word is rendered "mast." (See {Banner}.)
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Beacon \Bea"con\, n. [OE. bekene, AS. be['a]cen, b?cen; akin to
OS. b?kan, Fries. baken, beken, sign, signal, D. baak, OHG.
bouhhan, G. bake; of unknown origin. Cf. {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. --Gay.
2. A signal or 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. [Prov. Eng.]
4. That which gives notice of danger.
Modest doubt is called The beacon of the wise.
--Shak.
{Beacon fire}, a signal fire.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Beacon \Bea"con\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Beaconed} (?); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Beaconing}.]
1. To give light to, as a beacon; to light up; to illumine.
That beacons the darkness of heaven. --Campbell.
2. To furnish with a beacon or beacons.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
beacon
n 1: a fire (usually on a hill or tower) that can be seen from a
distance [syn: {beacon fire}]
2: a radio station that broadcasts a directional signal for
navigational purposes [syn: {radio beacon}]
3: a tower with a light that gives warning of shoals to passing
ships [syn: {lighthouse}, {beacon light}, {pharos}]
v 1: shine like a beacon
2: guide with a beacon
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