1. large outdoor fires lit as signals or for celebration
Usage: archaic or literary

Examples

• The ancient warriors lit balefires on the hilltops to warn of approaching enemies.
• Balefires blazed across the countryside during the festival.
• The beacon system used balefires to relay messages between distant castles.
• In medieval times, balefires served as an early warning system.
• The villagers gathered around the balefires to celebrate the harvest.
• Smoke from the balefires could be seen for miles across the valley.