beacon

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

No flaming beacons cast their blaze afar. Gay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A signal, such as that from a lighthouse, or a conspicuous mark erected on an eminence near the shore, or moored in shoal water, as a guide to mariners. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A high hill near the shore. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

4. That which gives notice of danger. [ 1913 Webster ]

Modest doubt is called
The beacon of the wise. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Navigation) a radio transmitter which emits a characteristic signal indication its location, so that vehicles may determine their exact location by locating the beacon with a radio compass; -- also called
radio beacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. [ fig. ] that which provides guidance or inspiration; the Constitution has been a beacon for civil rights activists. [ PJC ]

Beacon fire, a signal fire. [ 1913 Webster ]