per se "through it's self" (also by it's self) e.g. a positive use of the word could be....
"Why did you invite stupid Tracey to the party!?! - she's a total handfull" - "Because she's fun per se" (in a nut shell, this is the 1 reason)
Or a negative prefix to the word (often double negatives are used before 'per se' in a centance) 'I didn't not get the job because of my lack of