per se 1 /pər-'sā, ˌper-; pər-'sē/ adv [Latin, by, of, or in itself]
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 adj: 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
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.