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noun

earmark

Earmark (noun) means a mark made or tag attached to the ear of an animal (chiefly a livestock animal), generally to identify or indicate something about the animal, such as ownership, health or gestation status, etc.

noun
1
A mark made or tag attached to the ear of an animal (chiefly a livestock animal), generally to identify or indicate something about the animal, such as ownership, health or gestation status, etc.
2
A distinguishing or identifying mark or sign; specifically (archaic), a mark of ownership.
3
An act of designating certain funds to be used for a specific purpose.
4
Specifically, a designation by the Congress that certain federal funds be appropriated for a specific project.
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Etymology

The noun is derived from ear + mark. The verb is derived from the noun.

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of earmark?

"earmark" (noun) means a mark made or tag attached to the ear of an animal (chiefly a livestock animal), generally to identify or indicate something about the animal, such as ownership, health or gestation status, etc.

What are the different meanings of earmark?

"earmark" has 3 main meanings: 1. A mark made or tag attached to the ear of an animal (chiefly a livestock animal), generally to identify or indicate something about the animal, such as ownership, health or gestation status, etc; 2. A distinguishing or identifying mark or sign; specifically (archaic), a mark of ownership; 3. An act of designating certain funds to be used for a specific purpose.

Definitions from wiktionary, CC BY-SA · etymology from Wiktionary