Rodent, one escaping from silky fabric (4)

I believe the answer is:

vole

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'rodent' is the definition.
(vole is a kind of rodent)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for vole that I've seen before include "creature" , "Strange love for a rodent" , "A small plant-eating rodent - love it" , "River-bank rodent" , "Love for a small burrowing mammal" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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