cursor, precursor

Cursor or cursor means a movable pointer symbol on an electronic screen, such as a computer, used to mark the user's position on a screen--
Move the cursor to the red circle, and click on the left side of the mouse.
Use the mouse to move the cursor.

Precursor or precursor means something that precedes an event, and later seems to be a stage in its development--
The rise of literacy was a precursor of the modern idea of democracy.
The word processor was a precursor of the desktop computer.

 Now that you know that, you can say-
"The arrow keys were a precursor of the computer mouse."

gelled, jelled

Gelled or gelled is the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "gel", meaning to apply a thick hair product to set a hairstyle--
He gelled his hair; did you see it?
In the 80's nearly everyone's hair was gelled.

Gelled may also describe hair that has been set with a thick hair product--
Look at this old picture of Mom with her gelled hair.
His gelled hair turned into a mess in the rain.

Jelled or jelled  ( rhymes with gelled ) is the past tense of "jell", meaning to become thick, as a pudding or jelly--
The mixture jelled in about an hour in the refrigerator.
The last time I made this recipe, it never jelled, and we used it as a sauce.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He gelled his hair until it looked like a pudding that had jelled with a few spikes on top."

logger, lager

Logger or logger means a lumberjack; someone who cuts down trees for a living--
He was a logger in Oregon for several years.
He wants to be a logger--you know, a lumberjack.

Logger may also mean a machine used for hauling logs--
The logger broke down, and everyone quit work early.
Let's go; you're holding up the logger.

Logger may also mean a computer program or application used for keeping a record of events or observations--
This new logger makes it easy to keep track of what happens in the office.
She uses a logger app to record new measurements each day.

Lager or lager ( rhymes with logger ) means a beer that is kept in cold storage to ferment and mature--
Would you like a lager or an ale?
Lager is usually pale and light-bodied.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He's having a lager with his old friend, a logger from Canada."

tease, tees, teas

Tease or tease means to make fun of or annoy, in sport or in a playful way--
He thinks it's fun to tease his little brother, but I think it's mean.
Don't tease the dog!

Tease also means to puff up a hairdo by combing it back into itself--
Does she still tease her hair into a big beehive?

Tees or tees ( rhymes with tease ) is the plural of "tee", meaning a shirt shaped like the letter "T"--
Just pack some jeans and tees; we won't be going out in the evening.
All of his tees are too small.

Tees may also be the plural of "tee", meaning a support for a golf ball, or the mound of dirt it rests on--
He had some tees in his pocket, and he sat on them.
Whose tees are these?

Tees may also be the third person singular ( he, she, it ) form of "tee", meaning to strike a golf ball supported by a tee, or to take the first swing in a game of golf--
He tees off every morning at eight.

Teas or teas ( rhymes with tease ) is the plural of "tea", meaning the beverage made from leaves--
This shop has teas of nearly every kind.
She makes herbal teas with plants from her garden.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He wears tees with pictures of different teas on them; try not to tease him about them."

place, plaice

Place or place means a particular location, spot or position--
Can you find a place for this oversized chair?
We found a new pizza place, just a few blocks away.
He exercises by running in place.

Place or place also means to put in a particular position or location, literally or figuratively--
Place the spoon on the right, and the fork on the left.

Place may also mean to find employment for--
I hope we'll be able to place him quickly; he's very well qualified.

Place also means the order of position in a series--
He finished in second place.
The first place trophy will be shared this year.

Plaice or plaice ( rhymes with place ) means a flatfish caught for food in the North Atlantic--
I'm looking for a new recipe for plaice.
They fish for plaice when they go on vacation

Now that you know that, you can say--
'There's a place not far from here where they serve plaice in a delicious sauce."

adduce, a deuce

Adduce or adduce ( one word ) means to cite or mention as proof or evidence--
You may need to adduce data from several years to support your argument.
We can adduce health records of local residents in support of the new toxic waste measure.

A deuce or a deuce ( two words, rhymes with adduce ) means ( a ) playing card or die with two spots ( deuce ) --
He drew a deuce and lost the hand.
If he draws a deuce he'll have a straight.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"If you adduce his financial records to make your case, it will be like playing a deuce against an ace."

basil, basal

Basil or basil means the culinary herb, related to mint--
Add a teaspoon of chopped fresh basil, and bring the sauce to a boil.
He keeps a pot of basil growing in the kitchen window.

Basal or basal ( rhymes or nearly rhymes with basil ) describes something related to a bottom layer or minimum level, or to a foundation--
The doctor prescribed a basal level of a new drug; the dose might be increased if necessary.
The basal leaves will emerge from the root in a few weeks.
The basal reader is about the right level for this class.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The basal amount of basil is about a teaspoon to a quart of sauce."

Note--"Basil" ( always capitalized, nearly rhymes with castle ) is a male's given name--
His name is Basil, but everyone calls him Tex.