Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.