Bea"con (?), n. [OE. bekene, AS. be�xa0;cen, bcen; akin to OS. bkan, 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.

 

© Webster 1913.


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.

 

© Webster 1913.