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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Beacon \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)