lateen

/læˈtin/
adjective
  1. Describing a triangular sail attached to a long yard (spar) at an angle to the mast, used especially on traditional ships in the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean.
    • The lateen sail allowed the dhow to sail efficiently against the wind.
    • Ancient trading vessels often used a lateen rig for better maneuverability.
    • The museum displayed a model of a lateen-rigged ship from the 15th century.
noun
  1. A lateen sail or a ship equipped with such sails.
    • Historians studied the design of the lateen used by Arab traders.
    • The fisherman raised the lateen and headed out to sea.
    • The small lateen glided across the harbor with surprising speed.
Antonyms