Per se is a Latin phrase commonly used in English to mean "by itself" or "in itself." The spelling of per se is /pər ˈseɪ/. The first syllable, "per," is pronounced with a short "u" sound, like "puh." The second syllable, "se," is pronounced with a long "a" sound, like "say." The IPA phonetic transcription helps to clarify the correct pronunciation of per se, which can be challenging for English speakers unfamiliar with the Latin language.
Per se is a Latin phrase that has been adopted into English and it is commonly used to emphasize the specificity or exactness of a concept or statement. It is often employed to indicate that something is inherently or intrinsically true, without the need for further consideration or context.
Taken at face value, per se means "by itself" or "in itself." It is used when describing something as separate from its associated or surrounding elements. For example, if someone says "The book itself is not the problem, per se," they are suggesting that the book is not fundamentally flawed or the sole cause of the issue being discussed.
Per se is typically utilized to clarify that the statement being made is strictly about the specific object or idea in question and should not be generalized to other situations. It is often utilized to avoid misleading or overgeneralizing assumptions. For instance, if someone asserts "Not all snakes are dangerous, per se," they are emphasizing that while some snakes may pose a threat, it cannot be assumed that all snakes are inherently harmful.
In summary, per se is a phrase used to stress that the immediate object or concept being discussed is true or relevant on its own merits, without the need for further consideration or inclusion of other elements. It allows for a precise and unambiguous classification of a concept or statement.
By himself or itself.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The term "per se" originated from Latin. The word "per" means "through" or "by means of", and "se" means "itself" or "in itself". Together, "per se" translates to "by itself" or "in itself" in English. It is commonly used to signify that something is considered inherently or intrinsically as described, separate from any other factors.