Word Study
lateen
CIDE DICTIONARY
lateen, a.
- Of or pertaining to a peculiar rig used in the Mediterranean and adjacent waters, esp. on the northern coast of Africa; pertaining to a lateen sail. See below. [1913 Webster]
- rigged with a triangular (lateen sail). [WordNet 1.5]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
lateen, adj. (of a ship) rigged with a lateen sail.
Idiom
lateen sail a triangular sail on a long yard at an angle of 45° to the mast.
Etymology
F (voile) latine Latin (sail), because common in the Mediterranean
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