beacen

sign, portent, lighthouse

1 / 1

A coastal lighthouse shines a conspicuous beam across a rocky harbor entrance, providing a visible signal light beside the safe channel.

noun / verb

beacon

BEE-kuhn/ˈbiːkən/

A conspicuous signal used to guide or warn.

Etymology

beaconOld Englishsign, portent, lighthouse

Old English beacen covered both signs and lighthouses. A visible signal that helps people find their way provides the image behind the figurative sense of a source of guidance.

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Related word entries

beacon