Bea"con (b&mac;"k'n), n. [OE. bekene,
AS. beácen, bēcen; akin to OS.
bōkan, 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 (-k'nd); 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.
