Priestley

American  

[preest-lee] / ˈprist li /

noun

1. J(ohn) B(oynton) 1894–1984, English novelist.

2. Joseph, 1733–1804, English chemist, author, and clergyman.

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Priestley British  

/ ˈpriːstlɪ /

noun

1. J ( ohn ) B ( oynton ). 1894–1984, English author. His works include the novels The Good Companions (1929) and Angel Pavement (1930) and the play An Inspector Calls (1946)

2. Joseph. 1733–1804, English chemist, political theorist, and clergyman, in the US from 1794. He discovered oxygen (1774) independently of Scheele and isolated and described many other gases

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Priestley Scientific  

/ prēst′lē /

1. British chemist who discovered oxygen (1774) and 10 other gases, including hydrogen chloride, sulphur dioxide, and ammonia.

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Example Sentences

Priestley was initially arrested on suspicion of fraud before being released pending further inquiries.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

The BBC contacted Priestley for a response but he declined to comment.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Dr. Priestley said: "This was a really fun project to work on in my PhD, and I hope this research brings more attention to the importance of sugars in the immune system."

From Science Daily • Feb. 25, 2026

Viewers might remember the scene where Meryl Streep’s fashion magazine editrix Miranda Priestley purses her lips at one of the ugliest dresses she’s seen in years, during a preview of a designer’s new collection.

From Salon • Sep. 17, 2025

“The sentiment that you have attributed to me in your letter to Dr. Priestley I totally disclaim,” Adams protested, “and I demand in the French sense of the word demand of you the proof.”

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis