vole

²vole

noun

Definition of VOLE

: any of various small rodents (Microtus and related genera) that typically have a stout body, rather blunt nose, and short ears, inhabit both moist meadows and dry uplands and do much damage to crops, and are closely related to muskrats and lemmings

Origin of VOLE

earlier vole-mouse, from vole- (of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse vǫllr field) + mouse; akin to Old English weald forest — more at wold

First Known Use: 1805

Other Mammals Terms

dormouse, dugong, gibbon, grimalkin, sable, stoat, ungulate