Vole \Vole\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of micelike rodents belonging to
Arvicola and allied genera of the subfamily
Arvicolin[ae]. They have a thick head, short ears, and a
short hairy tail.
Note: The water vole, or water rat, of Europe (Arvicola
amphibius) is a common large aquatic species. The
short-tailed field vole (A. agrestis) of Northern and
Central Europe, and Asia, the Southern field vole (A.
arvalis), and the Siberian root vole (A.
[oe]conomus), are important European species. The
common species of the Eastern United States (A.
riparius) (called also meadow mouse) and the prairie
mouse (A. austerus) are abundant, and often injurious
to vegetation. Other species are found in Canada.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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