any identifying or distinguishing mark or characteristic

The mayor's statement had all the earmarks of dirty politics.

a mark of identification made on the ear of an animal to show ownership.

to set aside for a specific purpose, use, recipient, etc.

to earmark goods for export.

to mark with an earmark.

verb

throw away , use , waste

noun

attribute , differential , distinction , feature , hallmark , label , marking , peculiarity , quality , stamp , tag , token , trademark , trait

verb

allocate , designate , keep back , label , maintain , mark out , name , set aside , slot , tab , tag , assign , aspect , attribute , band , distinction , feature , identification , quality , signature , stamp , trait