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Earmark vs Outlay - What's the difference?

earmark | outlay |

In lang=en terms the difference between earmark and outlay

is that earmark is to mark (as of sheep) by slitting the ear while outlay is to spend, or distribute money.

As verbs the difference between earmark and outlay

is that earmark is to mark (as of sheep) by slitting the ear while outlay is to lay or spread out; expose; display.

As nouns the difference between earmark and outlay

is that earmark is a mark or deformation of the ear of an animal, intended to indicate ownership while outlay is a laying out or expending; that which is laid out or expended.

earmark

Verb

(en verb)
  • To mark (as of sheep) by slitting the ear.
  • (by extension) To specify or set aside for a particular purpose.
  • You can donate to the organization as a whole, or you can earmark your contribution for a particular project.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A mark or deformation of the ear of an animal, intended to indicate ownership.
  • (US, politics) The designation of specific projects in appropriations of funding for general programs.
  • A mark for identification; a distinguishing mark.
  • * Wharton
  • Money is said to have no earmark .
  • * Burrow
  • A set of intellectual ideas have earmarks upon them, no tokens of a particular proprietor.

    Coordinate terms

    * (US politics) phonemark

    References

    * http://m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?earmark

    See also

    * expenditure * porkbarrel

    outlay

    English

    Noun

    (-)
  • A laying out or expending; that which is laid out or expended.
  • The spending of money, or an expenditure.
  • Without too much outlay you could buy a dictionary.
  • (archaic) A remote haunt or habitation.
  • I know her and her haunts, Her lays, leaps, and outlays , and will discover all. ? Francis Beaumont.

    Verb

  • To lay or spread out; expose; display.
  • (Drayton)
  • To spend, or distribute money.