{"era":"current","word":"benchmark","meaning":"A standard or point of reference against which things may be compared or assessed.","children":[{"era":"19th century","word":"bench","meaning":"a mark made on a bench or wall for a surveyor's level","children":[],"language":"English compounds"},{"era":"19th century","word":"mark","meaning":"a mark made on a bench or wall for a surveyor's level","children":[],"language":"English compounds"}],"language":"Modern English"}