Here is Latin phrase people use frequently. Per se means by itself, or through it. I have sited some examples of the phrase used
in sentences. I located this list of
examples at http://dictionary.reference.com/ .
Example sentences for per se
It isn't clear whether
serotonin influences aggression per se or simply impulse control.
It wasn't a mistake
per se, but merely an unfinished drawing by one dot.
Not the fuel cells per se, but the whole concept of a
flexible plug in hybrid with electric drive.
As with trade deficits, economic theory doesn't view debt
per se as being harmful.
But biological diversity per se-the number of species in an
ecosystem-provides no shield against invasions.
Although it contains a map, it is not the usual guide, per
se.
Several famous people have been quoted use “per se”
and William Dunbar is one quote I found.
William Dunbar was a British poet (1465-c. 1530) and wrote this poem
about London (1. 1-8). The complete poem
can be found in Oxford Book of English Verse, The, 1250–1918.
Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. (New ed., rev. and enl., 1939) Oxford University
Press.
“London, thou art of townes A per se.
Soveraign of cities, semeliest in sight,
Of high renoun, riches, and royaltie;
Of lordis, barons, and many goodly knyght;
Of most delectable lusty ladies bright;
Of famous prelatis in habitis clericall;
Of merchauntis full of substaunce and myght:
London, thou art the flour of Cities all”
Soveraign of cities, semeliest in sight,
Of high renoun, riches, and royaltie;
Of lordis, barons, and many goodly knyght;
Of most delectable lusty ladies bright;
Of famous prelatis in habitis clericall;
Of merchauntis full of substaunce and myght:
London, thou art the flour of Cities all”
Quotation by William Dunbar
London_thou_art_of_townes_A_per_se.
(n.d.). Columbia World of Quotations. Retrieved February 23, 2013, from
Dictionary.com website: http://quotes.dictionary.com/London_thou_art_of_townes_A_per_se
