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Webster 1913 Edition

Pharos

Pha′ros

,
Noun.
[L., fr. Gr.
φάρος
, fr.
Φάροσ
an island in the Bay of Alexandria, where king
Ptolemy Philadelphus
built a famous lighthouse, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.]
A lighthouse or beacon for the guidance of seamen.
He . . . built a
pharos
, or lighthouse.
Arbuthnot.

Webster 1828 Edition

Pharos

PHA'ROS

,
Noun.
[Gr. This word is generally supposed to be taken from the name of a small isle, near Alexandria,in Egypt. But qu. is not the word from the root of fire, or from the Celtic fairim, to watch, and the isle so called from the tower upon it?]
1.
A light-house or tower which anciently stood on a small isle of that name, adjoining the Egyptian shore, over against Alexandria. It consisted of several stories and galleries, with a lantern on the top, which was kept burning at night as a guide to seamen.
2.
Any light-house for the direction of seamen; a watch-tower; a beacon.

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