earmark — OAT

earmark

verb

the cash had been earmarked for a big expansion of the firm:

set aside, lay aside, set apart, keep back, appropriate, reserve, keep;

designate, assign, label, tag, mark;

allocate to, allot to, devote to, pledge to, commit to, give over to;

rare hypothecate.

noun

he had all the earmarks of a big leaguer:

characteristic, attribute, feature, quality, essential quality, property, mark, trademark, hallmark;

mannerism, way, tendency;

literary lineament.