noun
- a sailing vessel with a triangular sail (lateen sail) rigged on a long diagonal yard
Usage: nautical; historical
Examples
- The Mediterranean traders favored the lateener for its maneuverability in coastal waters.
- A lateener could sail closer to the wind than square-rigged ships of the same era.
- The captain ordered the crew to adjust the lateener's distinctive triangular sail.
- Historic lateeners were common in North African and Middle Eastern maritime trade.