Crossword Genius

Labelled each book stolen by cardinal (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

earmarked

'labelled' is the definition.
(labelled or marked for a particular purpose)

'each book stolen by cardinal' is the wordplay.
'each' becomes 'ea'.
'book' becomes 'mark' (book of the Bible).
'stolen by' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'cardinal' becomes 'red' (I've seen this in other clues).
'mark' put inside 'red' is 'rmarked'.
'ea'+'rmarked'='EARMARKED'

(Other definitions for earmarked that I've seen before include "Set aside for a specific purpose" , "appearance of one who underwent piercing?" , "Distinguished" , "Like some identified animals" , "Designated for a particular purpose" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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