beacon vs light

beacon

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

  • To furnish with a beacon or beacons. 

  • To act as a beacon. 

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) 

light

verb
  • To illuminate; to provide light for when it is dark. 

  • To start (a fire). 

  • To become ignited; to take fire. 

  • To set fire to; to set burning. 

  • To make (a bonus) available to be collected by hitting a target, and thus light up the feature light corresponding to that bonus to indicate its availability. 

  • To attend or conduct with a light; to show the way to by means of a light. 

  • To stop upon (of eyes or a glance); to notice 

  • To unload a ship, or to jettison material to make it lighter 

  • To lighten; to ease of a burden; to take off. 

  • To find by chance. 

adj
  • Easy to endure or perform. 

  • Indulging in, or inclined to, levity; lacking dignity or solemnity; frivolous; airy. 

  • Riding high because of no cargo; by extension, pertaining to a ship which is light. 

  • Not encumbered; unembarrassed; clear of impediments; hence, active; nimble; swift. 

  • Having little weight as compared with bulk; of little density or specific gravity. 

  • Without any piece of equipment attached or attached only to a caboose. 

  • Not heavily armed; armed with light weapons. 

  • With low viscosity. 

  • Easily interrupted by stimulation. 

  • Not quite sound or normal; somewhat impaired or deranged; dizzy; giddy. 

  • Pale or whitish in color; highly luminous and more or less deficient in chroma. 

  • Of short or insufficient weight; weighing less than the legal, standard, or proper amount; clipped or diminished. 

  • Lightly built; typically designed for speed or small loads. 

  • Low in fat, calories, alcohol, salt, etc. 

  • Unimportant, trivial, having little value or significance. 

  • Served with extra milk or cream. 

  • Slight, not forceful or intense; small in amount or intensity. 

  • Having little or relatively little actual weight; not cumbrous or unwieldy. 

  • Gentle; having little force or momentum. 

  • Having light; bright; clear; not dark or obscure. 

  • Not heavy or soggy; spongy; well raised. 

  • Free from burden or impediment; unencumbered. 

adv
  • Carrying little. 

noun
  • A low-alcohol lager. 

  • A source of illumination. 

  • A cross-light in a double acrostic or triple acrostic. 

  • The manner in which the light strikes a picture; that part of a picture which represents those objects upon which the light is supposed to fall; the more illuminated part of a landscape or other scene; opposed to shade. 

  • A window in architecture, carriage design, or motor car design: either the opening itself or the window pane of glass that fills it, if any. 

  • A firework made by filling a case with a substance which burns brilliantly with a white or coloured flame. 

  • A point of view, or aspect from which a concept, person or thing is regarded. 

  • A cigarette lighter. 

  • The series of squares reserved for the answer to a crossword clue. 

  • Open view; a visible state or condition; public observation; publicity. 

  • Spiritual or mental illumination; enlightenment, useful information. 

  • The brightness of the eye or eyes. 

  • A traffic light, or, by extension, an intersection controlled by one or more that will face a traveler who is receiving instructions. 

  • A flame or something used to create fire. 

  • A notable person within a specific field or discipline. 

  • See lights (“lungs”). 

  • A stone that is not thrown hard enough. 

  • Visible electromagnetic radiation. The human eye can typically detect radiation (light) in the wavelength range of about 400 to 750 nanometers. Nearby shorter and longer wavelength ranges, although not visible, are commonly called ultraviolet and infrared light. 

  • The power of perception by vision. 

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