earmark
earmark Lexical Profile
earmark Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To designate or set aside (especially funds or resources) for a particular purpose.
"The city council decided to earmark three million dollars for the renovation of public parks."
To mark the ear of (a domesticated animal) as a sign of ownership or identity.
"Farmers traditionally earmark their sheep before turning them out to graze on the open range."
• noun
A characteristic or identifying feature or quality.
"The painting bears all the earmarks of an authentic Renaissance masterpiece."
American A congressional provision that directs approved funds to be spent on specific projects or that directs specific exemptions from taxes or mandated fees.
"The senator inserted an earmark into the transportation bill to fund a new bridge in her home state."
An identifying mark, such as a notch, cut, or tag, made on the ear of livestock to indicate ownership.
"The rancher checked the earmark on the stray calf to see which neighbor owned it."
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the 14th century from 'ear' and 'mark', originally referring to the literal agricultural practice of cutting or branding the ears of livestock such as sheep and cattle to denote ownership.