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.