earmark

== English == === Etymology === The noun is derived from ear +‎ mark. The verb is derived from the noun. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈɪəmɑːk/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈɪ(ə)ɹˌmɑɹk/ Hyphenation: ear‧mark === Noun === earmark (plural earmarks) (chiefly agriculture) 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. Synonym: (archaic or historical) lugmark Hyponym: ear tag (figurative) A distinguishing or identifying mark or sign; specifically (archaic), a mark of ownership. (finance) An act of designating certain funds to be used for a specific purpose. (US, politics), Specifically, a designation by the Congress that certain federal funds be appropriated for a specific project. (US, politics): Hyponyms: lettermark, phonemark ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== expenditure pork barrel === Verb === earmark (third-person singular simple present earmarks, present participle earmarking, simple past and past participle earmarked) (transitive) (chiefly agriculture) To make a mark or attach a tag to the ear of (an animal, chiefly a livestock animal), generally to identify or indicate something about the animal, such as ownership. Hyponym: ear-tag Coordinate terms: brand, chip (figurative) To put a distinguishing or identifying mark or sign on (something); to make (something) distinctive or identifiable. To designate or set aside (someone or something) for a particular purpose; to allocate. Synonyms: allot, appropriate; see also Thesaurus:set apart (finance) Chiefly followed by for: to designate (certain funds) to be used for a specific purpose. (UK) To designate (part of a pension) to be payable to the holder's former spouse or payment when the pension is paid. (US, politics) Of the Congress: to designate that certain federal funds be appropriated for a specific project. Hyponyms: lettermark, phonemark ==== Derived terms ==== earmarkable earmarking (noun) unearmarked ==== Translations ==== === References === === Further reading === earmark (agriculture) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia earmark (politics) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia earmark (disambiguation) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia “earmark, n. and v.”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.