Is there a word I can use to replace textual "finger quotes" instead of 'per se'?

When it comes to writing, I don’t like to use the phrase per se, as it’s hard to fit into what I’m trying to explain sometimes, but I don’t like using quotes to mean per se (what I’m referring to as the textual "finger quotes").

For example, take this sentence fragment I wrote to explain an abstract idea of multiple parts interconnected:

… since it could be considered a "part" of the current context …

In this fragment, I’m using the word part in quotes to mean the same as:

… since it could be considered a part, per se, of the current context …

I try not to use quotes likes this when I’m writing an explanation, but usually my other option is to use the phrase per se, which I don’t usually like writing as it doesn’t necessarily exactly convey the meaning sometimes. I feel, too, that italicizing or bolding the word would give it undo emphasis.

Is there a word, phrase, or possible styling that I could use instead, or is it considered acceptable to use quotes in this way?

I should note that I’m talking about informal communications, like e-mails, texts, etc. as I wouldn’t use quotes in this way if I were to write an article/book or something that would be published.