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

Cumming’s host persona may not be evil per se, but he is wicked enough for his beloved pooch, Lala, to look absolutely angelic trotting next to him.

From Salon

There is no house to beat, per se.

From The Wall Street Journal

There is no plot per se, but images and themes keep recurring.

From The Wall Street Journal

"This lack of pleasure for music is explained by disconnectivity between the reward circuit and the auditory network -- not by the functioning of their reward circuit, per se," says Marco-Pallarés.

From Science Daily

And we do see a little bit this season between a couple of people, but it’s very much secondary because it’s not something we actually see, per se.

From Los Angeles Times