over-the-counter
[ oh-ver-th uh-koun-ter ]
/ ˈoʊ vər ðəˈkaʊn tər /
adjective
unlisted on or not part of an organized securities exchange: over-the-counter stocks; the over-the-counter market. Abbreviation: OTC
Pharmacology.
sold legally without a doctor's prescription: over-the-counter drugs. Abbreviation: OTC
Origin of over-the-counter
First recorded in 1920–25
Words nearby over-the-counter
over the hump,
over the top,
over with,
over-,
over-the-air,
over-the-counter,
over-the-road,
over-under,
over-use,
overabundance,
overachieve
Definition for over-the-counter (2 of 2)
over the counter
adverb
not transacted through an organized securities exchange; directly to the buyer or from the seller: He sold his stocks over the counter.
Pharmacology.
without a doctor's prescription but within the law.
Origin of over the counter
First recorded in 1870–75
Example sentences from the Web for over-the-counter
British Dictionary definitions for over-the-counter
over-the-counter
adjective
- (of securities) not listed or quoted on a stock exchange
- (of a security market) dealing in such securities
- (of security transactions) conducted through a broker's office directly between purchaser and seller and not on a stock exchange
(of medicinal drugs) able to be sold without a prescription
Abbreviation: OTC Compare ortho- (def. 5)
Medical definitions for over-the-counter
over-the-counter
[ ō′vər-ðə-koun′tər ]
adj.
That can be sold legally without a doctor's prescription.