Originally and chieflyPsychology and Sociology. By, with reference to, or as regards feelings, emotion, or mood.
Origin
Late Middle English (in an earlier sense). Apparently from Anglo-Norman and Middle French affectuel or its etymon post-classical Latin affectualisaffectual + -ly; compare Anglo-Norman affectuelment and Middle French afectuelment, and later affectual. In 20th cent. apparently re-formed from affectual + -ly.