Beacon Definition
bēkən
beacons
noun
beacons
A signal fire, especially one used to warn of an enemy's approach.
American Heritage
A signal fire, esp. one on a hill, pole, etc.
Webster's New World
A signaling or guiding device that emits light, such as a lighthouse.
American Heritage
Any light or radio signal for warning or guiding.
Webster's New World
A radio transmitter that emits a characteristic guidance signal for aircraft.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
- radio-beacon
- pharos
- beacon light
- lighthouse
- beacon fire
- ringside
- radiomicrophone
- mark
- signal
- cresset
- balefire
- watchtower
- sign
- seamark
- signal fire
verb
beacons
To provide with or signal as a beacon.
American Heritage
To light up (darkness, etc.)
Webster's New World
To shine or serve as a beacon.
Webster's New World
To provide or mark with beacons.
Webster's New World
To act as a beacon.
Wiktionary
Origin of Beacon
-
Middle English beken, from Old English bēacen (“sign, signal”), from Proto-Germanic *baukną (cf. West Frisian beaken (“buoy”), Dutch baken (“beacon”), Middle High German bouchen (“sign”)), perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeh₂u-, *bʰeh₂- (“to shine”). More at fantasy.
From Wiktionary
-
Middle English beken from Old English bēacen bhā-1 in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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