beacon vs torch

beacon

noun
  • An electronic device that broadcasts a signal to nearby portable devices, enabling smartphones etc. to perform actions when in physical proximity to the beacon. 

  • That which gives notice of danger, or keeps people on the correct path. 

  • 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) 

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. 

torch

noun
  • A portable light source powered by electricity; a flashlight. 

  • An arsonist. 

  • A stick with a flame on one end, used chiefly as a light source; a similarly shaped implement with a replaceable supply of flammable material. 

  • A blowtorch or oxy-gas torch. 

  • A torch drive ("a spacecraft engine which produces thrust by nuclear fusion"). 

verb
  • To set fire to, especially by use of a torch (flaming stick). 

  • To travel in a spacecraft propelled by a torch drive ("a spacecraft engine which produces thrust by nuclear fusion"). 

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