beacon vs fire alarm

beacon

noun
  • A signal fire to notify of the approach of an enemy, or to give any notice, commonly of warning. 

  • That which gives notice of danger, 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. 

  • A high hill or other easily distinguishable object near the shore which can serve as guidance for seafarers. 

  • A signal or conspicuous mark erected on an eminence near the shore, or moored in shoal water, as a guide to mariners. 

  • A post or buoy placed over a shoal or bank to warn vessels of danger; also a signal mark on land. (FM 55-501) 

verb
  • To furnish with a beacon or beacons. 

  • To act as a beacon. 

  • To give light to, as a beacon; to light up; to illumine. 

fire alarm

noun
  • The sound or other warning made by a fire alarm. 

  • An electromechanical or electronic bell, klaxon, chime, horn, speaker, strobe light or other device which warns people in a building of a possible fire or other condition requiring evacuation. 

  • An emergency response to a fire by the fire department with manpower and equipment. 

How often have the words beacon and fire alarm occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )