Per Se - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition per-se

per se

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[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
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]