per se

American  

[pur sey, see, per] / pɜr ˈseɪ, ˈsi, pər /

adverb

1. by, of, for, or in itself; intrinsically.

   This candidate is not a pacifist per se, but he is in favor of peaceful solutions when practicable.

   Synonyms:

   fundamentally , indigenously , inherently , innately

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per se British  

/ ˈpɜː ˈseɪ /

adverb

1. by or in itself; intrinsically

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Etymology

Origin of per se

First recorded in 1565–75; from Latin per sē “by itself,” translation of Greek kath’ autó

Example Sentences

I drove over to downtown Los Angeles’ Garment District, a neighborhood that wasn’t unsafe per se, but one I’d never visit if I didn’t have to.

From Salon

“One problem is that Syrians themselves don’t see small anti-Israel groups as a threat to them, per se,” said Joel Parker, also a Syria researcher at Tel Aviv University.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is not a group per se, he says, but rather "a system of widespread corruption".

From BBC

“There’s nothing evil about the tech industry or consulting, per se.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The popular Mexican food chain’s results, released late Wednesday, weren’t bad per se: Earnings and revenue matched Wall Street’s forecasts.

From Barron's