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earmark

 - 3 dictionary results

ear⋅mark

  [eer-mahrk]
Use earmark in a Sentence
–noun
1. any identifying or distinguishing mark or characteristic: The mayor's statement had all the earmarks of dirty politics.
2. a mark of identification made on the ear of an animal to show ownership.
–verb (used with object)
3. to set aside for a specific purpose, use, recipient, etc.: to earmark goods for export.
4. to mark with an earmark.
Origin:
1515–25; ear 1 + mark 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To earmark
ear·mark   (îr'märk')   
n.  

  1. An identifying feature or characteristic: a novel with all the earmarks of success.

  2. An identifying mark on the ear of a domestic animal.

tr.v.   ear·marked, ear·mark·ing, ear·marks

  1. To reserve or set aside for a particular purpose. See Synonyms at allocate.

  2. To mark in an identifying or distinctive way.

  3. To mark the ear of (a domestic animal) for identification.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

earmark 
1523, from ear (1) + mark (1). Originally a cut or mark in the ear of sheep and cattle, serving as a sign of ownership; first recorded 1577 in figurative sense.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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