Vole
/voʊl/noun
A small, burrowing rodent resembling a mouse or rat, often found in fields and meadows.
Did you know?In folklore, voles were often associated with fertility and the earth, believed to bring good fortune to farmers' fields.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wel-
“to roll, to turn”
Old English
OE
wulf
“wolf, a creature known for its cunning and stealth, related to voles' elusive nature.”
Late Latin
Latin
vola
“the palm of the hand or the act of rolling, a connection to movement and agility.”
14th Century
Middle English
vole
“a small rodent, linked to burrowing and rolling in the earth.”
Modern English
English
vole
“a term for small burrowing rodents, maintaining ties to ancient rolling motions.”