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

Beacon \Bea"con\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Beaconed (b[=e]"k'nd);
   p. pr. & vb. n. Beaconing.]
   1. To give light to, as a beacon; to light up; to illumine.
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            That beacons the darkness of heaven.  --Campbell.
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   2. To furnish with a beacon or beacons.
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Beacon \Bea"con\ (b[=e]"k'n), n. [OE. bekene, AS. be['a]cen,
   b[=e]cen; akin to OS. b[=o]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.
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            No flaming beacons cast their blaze afar. --Gay.
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   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.
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   3. A high hill near the shore. [Prov. Eng.]
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   4. That which gives notice of danger.
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            Modest doubt is called
            The beacon of the wise.               --Shak.
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   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.
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   5. [fig.] that which provides guidance or inspiration; the
      Constitution has been a beacon for civil rights activists.
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   Beacon fire, a signal fire.
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Beacon
   a pole (Heb. to'ren) used as a standard or ensign set on the
   tops of mountains as a call to the people to assemble themselves
   for some great national purpose (Isa. 30:17). In Isa. 33:23 and
   Ezek. 27:5, the same word is rendered "mast." (See Banner.)
   

BEACON. A signal erected as a sea mark for the use of mariners; also, to 
give warning of the approach of an enemy. 1 Com. Dig. 259; 5 Com. Dig. 173. 

Beacon, NY -- U.S. city in New York
   Population (2000):    13808
   Housing Units (2000): 5406
   Land area (2000):     4.775167 sq. miles (12.367626 sq. km)
   Water area (2000):    0.113614 sq. miles (0.294258 sq. km)
   Total area (2000):    4.888781 sq. miles (12.661884 sq. km)
   FIPS code:            05100
   Located within:       New York (NY), FIPS 36
   Location:             41.504243 N, 73.965576 W
   ZIP Codes (1990):     12508
   Note: some ZIP codes may be omitted esp. for suburbs.
   Headwords:
    Beacon, NY
    Beacon

Beacon, IA -- U.S. city in Iowa
   Population (2000):    518
   Housing Units (2000): 217
   Land area (2000):     1.006822 sq. miles (2.607656 sq. km)
   Water area (2000):    0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km)
   Total area (2000):    1.006822 sq. miles (2.607656 sq. km)
   FIPS code:            05050
   Located within:       Iowa (IA), FIPS 19
   Location:             41.275948 N, 92.680733 W
   ZIP Codes (1990):     52534
   Note: some ZIP codes may be omitted esp. for suburbs.
   Headwords:
    Beacon, IA
    Beacon