Category:Beacon

Bea"con, n. Etym: [OE. bekene, AS. beácen, b; akin to OS. b, 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.

---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Beacon - A pole (Heb. to'ren ) used as a standard or ensign set on the tops of mountains as a call to the people to assemble themselves for some great national purpose (Isaiah 30:17). In Isaiah 33:23 and Ezekiel 27:5, the same word is rendered "mast." (See BANNER.)