Earmark - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition earmark

Definition :

Earmark, a mark for identification. Money has no earmark, but it is an ordinary term for a privy mark made by any one on a coin, but money in a purse or container and set aside for a purpose, i.e., may be traced. As to the appropriation of payments, see CLAYTON'S CASE.

Originally, a mark upon the ear -- a mode of marking sheep and other animals, Black's Law Dictionary, 7th Edn.