per se

Definition of per se

Etymology

From Latin per se (“by itself”), from per (“by, through”), and se (“itself, himself, herself, themselves”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /pəːˈseɪ/
• (US) IPA: /pɚːˈseɪ/

Adverb

per se (not comparable)

1. By itself; without consideration of extraneous factors.
   
   The law makes drunk driving illegal per se.
   
   
2. (chiefly in negative polarity environments) As such; as one would expect from the name.
   
   Well, that's not correct per se, but the situation is something like that.
   
   
3. (law) As a matter of law.

Usage notes

• Because this is originally a Latin phrase, it is sometimes italicized when it is written.

Further reading

Per se may refer to:

• per se, a Latin phrase meaning "in itself" or "through itself". Also "by itself". (Without referring to anything else, intrinsically, taken without qualifications, etc. A common example is negligence per se. See also malum in se.)
• illegal per se, the legal usage in criminal and antitrust law
• negligence per se, legal use in tort law