The word "arvicola" is a noun that refers to a type of small mammal belonging to the family of rodents. In some classifications, it is considered synonymous with "microtus," which is a genus of voles. Voles are small, burrowing animals that are often found in fields, meadows, and near water sources.
In summary, "arvicola" is a scientific term for a type of small rodent, specifically related to voles. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation, but you might come across it in scientific literature about ecology or animal classification.