Webster
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Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Beacon

Bea′con (b?′k'n), n. [OE. bekene, AS. beácen, bēcen; akin to OS. bōkan, 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.

Bea′con, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beaconed (-k'nd); 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.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Noah Porter, editor (Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913). Public domain. Text as transcribed by MICRA, Inc., from Project Gutenberg. Changed for Deep Dive Bible: Greek, which our source spelled in Latin letters, set in Greek letters; entries of one spelling merged into one article.