perse

1 of 3

adjective (1)

ˈpərs 

: of a dark grayish blue resembling indigo

per se

2 of 3

adverb

(ˌ)pər-ˈsā,

 also  per-ˈsā,

or

(ˌ)pər-ˈsē 

: by, of, or in itself or oneself or themselves : as such : intrinsically

per se

3 of 3

adjective (2)

: being such inherently, clearly, or as a matter of law

a per se conflict of interest

Did you know?

We generally use per se to distinguish between something in its narrow sense and some larger thing that it represents. Thus, you may have no objection to educational testing per se, but rather to the way testing is done. An opposition party may attack a president's policy not because they dislike the policy per se but because they want to weaken the president. And when New York's police chief decided to crack down on small crimes, it wasn't the small crimes per se that were his target, but instead the larger crimes which he believed would be reduced because of this new approach.

Examples of perse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

All rooms exemplify easy elegance, and seem to prioritize comfort—not informality per se, but clean lines, plush carpets underfoot, and cozy easy chairs. —Marcia Desanctis, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2025

While not travel insurance per se, the company’s plans more resemble a roadside assistance plan for vehicles. —David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2025

Adjective

Kendall has always been on a pretty individual, and individualistic, path in terms of his pursuit of the crown, per se. —Clark Collis, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2023

Harden and the Rockets didn't enter the 2020 playoffs as championship favorites per se, though the partnership between Houston's superstar and then-co-star Russell Westbrook was quite successful for much of the 2019-20 season. —Michael Shapiro, Chron, 15 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

Middle English pers, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin persus

Adverb

Latin

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1574, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

circa 1655, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for perse

• curse
• hearse
• purse
• terse
• vers
• verse
• worse
• adverse
• averse
• coerce
• disburse
• disperse

Legal Definition

per se

1 of 2 adverb

pər-ˈsā, ˌper-; pər-ˈsē 

1

: inherently, strictly, or by operation of statute, constitutional provision or doctrine, or case law

the transaction was illegal per se

see also negligence per se at negligence, nuisance per se at nuisance

2

: without proof of special damages or reference to extrinsic circumstances

defamatory statements that were actionable per se

compare per quod

per se

2 of 2 adjective

: being such inherently, clearly, or by operation of statute, constitutional provision or doctrine, or case law

it is clear that licensing of adult entertainment establishments is not a per se violation of the First Amendment

—Club Southern Burlesque, Inc. v. City of Carrollton, 457 S.E.2d 816 (1995)

a per se conflict of interest

Etymology

Adverb

Latin, by, of, or in itself

Biographical Definition

Perse

biographical name

St. John see Aléxis Saint-Léger léger