词源趣谈 | earmark 标志；将某物留作专用

earmark 该词指出于特定目的而将某物留作专用。如：

• The money had been earmarked for spending on new school buildings.
  这笔款项已指定用于新校舍建设。
• The factory has been earmarked for closure.
  这家工厂已被指定关闭。

畜牧者曾在牛羊的耳朵上打上特定戳记以表明所有权，同时也可防止牛羊被偷，上述表达方式即源自这一传统做法。