beacon
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Pronunciation
- Rhymes: -iːkən
[edit] Etymology
Middle English beken, from Old English bēacen 'sign, signal', from Proto-Germanic *bauknan (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.
[edit] Noun
beacon (plural beacons)
- A signal fire to notify of the approach of an enemy, or to give any notice, commonly of warning or guiding.
- (nautical) A signal or conspicuous mark erected on an eminence near the shore, or moored in shoal water, as a guide to mariners.
- A high hill or other easily distinguishable object near the shore which can serve as guidance for seafarers.
- That which gives notice of danger.
[edit] Translations
signal fire
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signaling or guiding mark erected as guide to mariners
high hill or similar
that which warns
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[edit] Derived terms
[edit] See also
[edit] Verb
beacon (third-person singular simple present beacons, present participle beaconing, simple past and past participle beaconed)
- To act as a beacon.
