over the counter

¹

adverb

1. not transacted through an organized securities exchange; directly to the buyer or from the seller.

   He sold his stocks over the counter.

2. Pharmacology.,  without a doctor's prescription but within the law.

over-the-counter

²

[oh-ver-thuh-koun-ter]

adjective

1. unlisted on or not part of an organized securities exchange: OTC

   over-the-counter stocks; the over-the-counter market.

2. Pharmacology.,  sold legally without a doctor's prescription: OTC

   over-the-counter drugs.

over-the-counter

adjective

1. 1. (of securities) not listed or quoted on a stock exchange

   2. (of a security market) dealing in such securities

   3. (of security transactions) conducted through a broker's office directly between purchaser and seller and not on a stock exchange

2. OTC. (of medicinal drugs) able to be sold without a prescription Compare ortho-

Word History and Origins

Origin of over-the-counter¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Origin of over-the-counter²

First recorded in 1920–25