• vt. 在耳朵上做记号；标记
• n. 特征；耳上记号

因古代在自家牲口耳朵上作记号而引申该词义，比较maverick.

earmark (n.)

mid-15c., from ear (n.1) + mark (n.1). Originally a cut or mark in the ear of sheep and cattle, serving as a sign of ownership (also a punishment of certain criminals); first recorded 1570s in figurative sense "stamp of ownership."

earmark (v.)

1590s, "to identify by an earmark," from earmark (n.). Meaning "to set aside money for a special purpose" is attested by 1868. Related: Earmarked; earmarking.

1. Correct speech is an earmark of the educated man.

正确的谈吐是受教育者的特征.

来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

2. I will earmark this money for your research.

我将为你的研究指拨一笔款项.

来自《简明英汉词典》

3. He also undertook to earmark $ 235 billion in government expenditure on infrastructure projects within five years.

同时承诺在五年内投资二千三百五十亿元进行基建.

来自《简明英汉词典》

4. Who fought against wasteful and earmark spending?

谁在和浪费的拨款项目花销作斗争?

来自互联网

5. This year, the central treasury will earmark 10.6 billion yuan of poverty - relief funds.

今年, 中央安排财政扶贫资金106亿元.

来自互联网