Identification mark on the ear of a domestic animal.

A distinctive characteristic or attribute.

synonyms: hallmark, stylemark, trademark.

Give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause:
— I will earmark this money for your research.

synonyms: allow, appropriate, reserve, set aside.

Roget 550: indicate; be the sign etc. n.. of; denote, betoken; argue, testify etc. (evidence) 467; bear the impress etc. n.. of; connote, connotate^†.    represent, stand for; typify etc. (prefigure) 511; symbolize.    put an indication, put a mark etc. n.; note, mark, stamp, earmark; blaze; label, ticket, docket; dot, spot, score, dash, trace, chalk; print; imprint, impress; engrave, stereotype.    make a sign etc. n.. 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" [Hamlet]. wave a banner, unfurl a banner, hoist a banner, hang out a banner etc. n.; wave the hand, wave a kerchief; give the cue etc. (inform) 527; show one's colors; give an alarm, sound an alarm; beat the drum, sound the trumpets, raise a cry.    sign, seal, attest etc. (evidence) 467; underline etc. (give importance to) 642; call attention to etc. (attention) 457; give notice etc. (inform) 527.    ... show more