vole

¹

[ vohl ]

noun

1. any of several small mouselike or ratlike rodents of the genus Microtus and related genera, having short limbs and a short tail.

vole

²

[ vohl ]

noun

1. Cards. the winning by one player of all the tricks of a deal.

vole

¹

/ vəʊl /

noun

1. any of numerous small rodents of the genus Microtus and related genera, mostly of Eurasia and North America and having a stocky body, short tail, and inconspicuous ears: family Cricetidae See also water vole

vole

²

/ vəʊl /

noun

1. (in some card games, such as écarté) the taking of all the tricks in a deal, thus scoring extra points

Word History and Origins

Origin of vole¹

1795–1805; short for volemouse field mouse, perhaps < Norwegian *vollmus, equivalent to voll field ( wold ¹ ) + mus mouse

Origin of vole²

1670–80; < French, derivative of voler to fly < Latin volāre

Word History and Origins

Origin of vole¹

C19: short for volemouse, from Old Norse vollr field + mus mouse ; related to Icelandic vollarmus

Origin of vole²

C17: from French, from voler to fly, from Latin volāre

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. go the vole,
   1. to venture everything on the chance of great rewards.
   2. to try one after another, as a variety of occupations:

      He went the vole and finally settled on watchmaking.

Example Sentences

Water voles are Britain’s largest vole species, with a rounded face, blunt nose, small ears and dark brown or almost black fur.

From BBC

It is now hoped the success of water vole introduction in the area will lead to even more improved biodiversity along York's waterways.

From BBC

In Sweden 100-450 cases of vole fever require hospital care each year, exclusively in the northern part of the country.

From Science Daily

In 2018, a locally contracted case of vole fever was reported in Skåne, more than 500 km south of the previously known southernmost incidence of the disease in Sweden, which was north of Uppsala.

From Science Daily

Rats and mice are often used in psychology studies, but prairie voles share several unique characteristics with humans that make them better candidates for research, such as having monogamous relationships, raising vole pups in pairs, and even taking on parental roles for orphaned pups.

From Science Daily