Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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.
\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.