[partly f. prec. sb.; partly f. EAR sb.1 + MARK v.]

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  1.  trans. To mark (animals) in the ear as a sign of ownership or identity: fig. to mark (anything) as one’s own, make its identity recognizable, by a special sign. Hence Ear-marked ppl. a.

2

1591.  Spenser, M. Hubberd, M 1 b. Least we … for eare marked beasts abroad be bruted.

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1612.  R. Carpenter, Soules Sent., 76. I will heere let them passe as eare-markt slaues of Sathan.

4

1641.  Best, Farm. Bks. (Surtees), 4. It is a goode way to earemarke lambes as they fall.

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1882.  Standard, 21 Jan., 5/3. The troubles which an ear-marked cheque avoids.

6

1882.  Montague Williams, Def. Dr. Lamson, in Times, 14 March, 10/6. Why did the prisoner go down to Wimbledon and earmark his visit by [etc.]?

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  † 2.  (nonce-use.) To mark a person by cutting his ears (in the pillory).

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1660.  S. Fisher, Rustick’s Alarm, 69–70. The … practice of … pilloring, gagging, eare marking, nose slitting.

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