beacon
Meaning
-
- A signal fire to notify of the approach of an enemy, or to give any notice, commonly of warning.
- A signal, buoy, post, or other conspicuous mark erected on an eminence near the shore, or moored in shoal water, as a guide to mariners, particularly to warn vessels of danger.
- A high hill or other easily distinguishable object near the shore which can serve as guidance for seafarers.
- That which gives notice of danger, hope, etc., or keeps people on the correct path.
- An electronic device that broadcasts a signal to nearby portable devices, enabling smartphones etc. to perform actions when in physical proximity to the beacon.
- Short for web beacon.
Synonyms
signal fire
beacon fire
beacon light
warning light
indicator lamp
marker beacon
signal light
bale-fire
directing sign
sighting target
signal bridge
navigation mark
shore beacon
rotating light
sighting board
elucidate
fairway buoy
Frequency
Pronounced as (IPA)
/ˈbiːkən/
Etymology
In summary
From Middle English beken, from Old English bēacn (“sign, signal”), from Proto-West Germanic *baukn, from Proto-Germanic *baukną (compare West Frisian beaken (“buoy”), Dutch baken (“beacon”), Middle Low German bāke (“beacon, sign”), German Bake (“traffic sign”), Middle High German bouchen (“sign”)), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeh₂u-, *bʰeh₂- (“to shine”).
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Notes
