To set aside or designate something for a specific purpose or person; to mark something as being intended for a particular use.
Originally from 'ear' + 'mark' (a mark made on an animal's ear to show ownership). Later evolved figuratively to mean designating or setting aside something for a purpose.
The original earmark was literally cutting a notch in a sheep's ear to show who owned it—farmers used different patterns like earmarks are still used today on medieval festival animals!
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