beacon fire
  烽火,信號篝火
  Bea·con n.
  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, 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.
  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.
  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}.
  Beacon fire, a signal fire.
  beacon fire
       n : a fire (usually on a hill or tower) that can be seen from a
           distance [syn: beacon]