Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

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 : WordNet®

beacon
     n 1: a fire (usually on a hill or tower) that can be seen from a
          distance [syn: {beacon fire}]
     2: a radio station that broadcasts a directional signal for
        navigational purposes [syn: {radio beacon}]
     3: a tower with a light that gives warning of shoals to passing
        ships [syn: {lighthouse}, {beacon light}, {pharos}]
     v 1: shine like a beacon
     2: guide with a beacon