earmark

• POS: Noun, Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: ear=mark

CIDE DICTIONARY

earmark, n. 

•  A mark on the ear of sheep, oxen, dogs, etc., as by cropping or slitting.  [1913 Webster]
•  A mark for identification; a distinguishing mark.  [1913 Webster]

  "Money is said to have no earmark."  [1913 Webster]

  "Flying, he [a slave] should be described by the rounding of his head, and his earmark."  [1913 Webster]

  "A set of intellectual ideas . . . have earmarks upon them, no tokens of a particular proprietor."  [1913 Webster]

earmark, v. t. 

•  To mark, as sheep, by cropping or slitting the ear.  [1913 Webster]
•  To designate or reserve for a specific purpose; as, the alumni fund was earmarked for dormitory construction.  [PJC]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

earmark, n. & v.
--n.
1 an identifying mark.
2 an owner's mark on the ear of an animal.
--v.tr.
1 set aside (money etc.) for a special purpose.
2 mark (sheep etc.) with such a mark.

THESAURUS

earmark

allocate, allot, appoint, appropriate to, aroma, assign, assign to, attribute, badge, banner, be characteristic, birthmark, blaze, blemish, blotch, brand, cachet, cast, caste mark, character, characteristic, characterize, check, checkmark, cicatrix, configuration, cut, dapple, define, demarcate, describe, destine, detail, device, differentia, differential, differentiate, discoloration, distinctive feature, distinguish, dot, engraving, fate, feature, figure, flavor, fleck, flick, freckle, gash, graving, gust, hack, hallmark, idiocrasy, idiosyncrasy, image, impress, impression, index, indicant, indicator, individualism, insignia, jot, keynote, label, lentigo, lineaments, lot, macula, make assignments, mannerism, mark, mark off, mark out, mark out for, marking, measure, mold, mole, mottle, nature, nevus, nick, notch, note, odor, ordain, particularity, patch, peculiarity, picture, point, polka dot, portion off, prick, property, puncture, quality, quirk, representation, representative, reserve, restrict, restrict to, savor, scar, scarification, schedule, score, scotch, scratch, scratching, seal, set, set apart, set aside, set off, set the pace, set the tone, shape, sigil, sign, signal, signature, singularity, smack, sound the keynote, specialty, speck, speckle, splash, splotch, spot, stain, stamp, stigma, strawberry mark, sure sign, symptom, tab, tag, taint, tang, taste, tattoo, tattoo mark, telltale sign, tick, ticket, tittle, token, trait, trick, watermark

ROGET THESAURUS

earmark

Indication

VB indicate, be the sign, of, denote, betoken, argue, testify, bear the impress, of, connote, connotate, represent, stand for, typify, symbolize, put an indication, put a mark, note, mark, stamp, earmark, blaze, label, ticket, docket, dot, spot, score, dash, trace, chalk, print, imprint, impress, engrave, stereotype, make a sign, signalize, underscore, give a signal, hang out a signal, beckon, nod, wink, glance, leer, nudge, shrug, tip the wink, gesticulate, raise the finger, hold up the finger, raise the hand, hold up the hand, saw the air, suit the action to the word, wave a banner, unfurl a banner, hoist a banner, hang out a banner, wave the hand, wave a kerchief, give the cue, show one's colors, give an alarm, sound an alarm, beat the drum, sound the trumpets, raise a cry, sign, seal, attest, underline, call attention to, give notice.