{"era":"current","word":"slate","meaning":"A fine-grained rock that splits into thin layers and has been used for roofing and writing tablets.","children":[{"era":"1300s","word":"sclate / slat / slate","meaning":"slate, slate rock, writing slate","children":[{"era":"1200s","word":"esclate","meaning":"broken piece, shard","children":[{"era":"1200s","word":"esclater","meaning":"to break, shatter","children":[{"era":"pre-1100","word":"*slaitijaną","meaning":"to split, break","children":[{"era":"pre-1100","word":"*slītaną","meaning":"to cut up, split, tear","children":[],"language":"Proto-Germanic"}],"language":"Proto-Germanic"}],"language":"Old French"}],"language":"Old French"}],"language":"Middle English"}],"language":"Modern English"}