{Lateen sail}. [F. voile latine a sail in the shape of a
right-angled triangle; cf. It. & Sp. vela latina; properly
Latin sail. See {Latin}.] (Naut.) A triangular sail,
extended by a long yard, which is slung at about one
fourth of its length from the lower end, to a low mast,
this end being brought down at the tack, while the other
end is elevated at an angle or about forty-five degrees;
-- used in small boats, feluccas, xebecs, etc., especially
in the Mediterranean and adjacent waters. Some lateen
sails have also a boom on the lower side.