Date
Meaning & History
Means "to endure with strength" or "the strength to endure", derived from Lithuanian kęsti meaning "to cope" as well as "to suffer, to endure, to undergo" (see KĘSTUTIS) combined with old Lithuanian gailas, which usually means "strong, potent" but has also been found to mean "sharp, jagged" as well as "angry, fierce, violent" and "miserable, sorrowful, remorseful". Also compare the modern Lithuanian noun galia meaning "power, might, force".