lateen

adjective

la·teen | \ lə-ˈtēn

Definition of lateen

(Entry 1 of 2)

: being or relating to a rig used especially on the north coast of Africa and characterized by a triangular sail extended by a long spar slung to a low mast

lateen

noun

Definition of lateen (Entry 2 of 2)

1 or less commonly lateener \ lə-ˈtē-nər

\ : a lateen-rigged ship

2 : a lateen sail

Examples of lateen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Crew members from the USS Normandy seized a huge cache of weapons from a dhow – a small vessel with lateen sails – on Sunday while conducting maritime security operations in the U.S. Central area of operations. — Fox News, 14 Feb. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Unlike the lumbering tall ships of the 1800s, the Iskatel runs on a combination of two outboard engines and four lateen sails. — Garland Kelly, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lateen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.