pharos

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   historical or literary: a lighthouse or beacon, especially an ancient monumental one

   The harbor tower served as a pharos for ships entering after dark.

2. 2
   noun

   figurative: a conspicuous guide, source of knowledge, or shining example

   The reformers regarded the library as a pharos of public learning.

From Latin Pharos and Greek Pharos, the island off Alexandria on which the celebrated ancient lighthouse stood. The proper name became a common literary word for a lighthouse or beacon and then, figuratively, for a person or institution that offers conspicuous guidance.

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