per se

1. 1
   in itselfadverb

   By itself, because of what it is, and not because of other things around it.

   The game per se is not bad for kids, but playing it all night is.

   Sugar per se is not the problem. Eating too much of it is.

   Similarintrinsically, inherently

   Note
2. 2
   strictly speakingadverbnonstandard

   Exactly what the name says, in the true meaning of the word.

   It's not a diet per se, more a way of eating less junk.

   I'm not a chef per se, but I cook for my friends a lot.

   Similarexactly, truly

   Note
3. 3
   by law aloneadverb

   Automatically under the law, so the judge cannot look at other facts to decide differently.

   In this state, driving over the alcohol limit is against the law per se.

   The new rule makes texting while driving illegal per se.

   Note
4. 4
   fixed legal ruleadjective

   Describes a rule that applies automatically by law, so a judge cannot weigh other facts.

   Under the per se law, any driver over the limit is guilty.

   The judge said the per se rule left her no choice.

   Note
5. 5
   adverb

   Because of what a thing is in itself, not because of something else or by chance.

   Some philosophers say that only God exists per se.

   She says a truly free will acts per se, not because something else causes it.

   Note
6. 6
   adjective

   Coming from a thing's own nature, not from chance or from something outside it.

   Some old thinkers believed God is a per se being who needs nothing else.

   They argued about whether a per se chain of causes could go on forever.

   Note

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