Beacon-[fr. beacen, A.S., a sign, whence beckon, to nod], a light-house, or sea-mark, formerly used to alarm the country, in case of the approach of an enemy, but now for the guidance of ships at sea. The Trinity House was empowered by 8 Eliz. C. 13 to set up any beacons or sea-marks wherever they should be deemed necessary (see 10 & 11 Vict. c. 27), and has now the superintendence and management of all lighthouses, buoys, and beacons, by s. 634 of the (English) Merchant Shipping Act, 1894.
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