beacon vs guide

beacon

verb
  • To act as a beacon. 

  • To furnish with a beacon or beacons. 

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

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

  • 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) 

guide

verb
  • to act as a guide. 

  • to serve as a guide for someone or something; to lead or direct in a way; to conduct in a course or path. 

  • to exert control or influence over someone or something. 

  • to supervise the education or training of someone. 

  • to steer or navigate, especially a ship or as a pilot. 

noun
  • Someone who guides, especially someone hired to show people around a place or an institution and offer information and explanation, or to lead them through dangerous terrain. 

  • A grooved director for a probe or knife in surgery. 

  • A sign that guides people; guidepost. 

  • A blade or channel for directing the flow of water to the buckets in a water wheel. 

  • A spirit believed to speak through a medium. 

  • A member of a group marching in formation who sets the pattern of movement or alignment for the rest. 

  • A document or book that offers information or instruction; guidebook. 

  • Any marking or object that catches the eye to provide quick reference. 

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