over the counter

¹ American  

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.

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over-the-counter ² American  

[oh-ver-thuh-koun-ter] / ˈoʊ vər ðəˈkaʊn tər /

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.

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over-the-counter British  

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-

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Etymology

Origin of over the counter¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Origin of over-the-counter²

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

“Papa’s coming down now to take over the counter, so let’s blow this joint.”

From Literature

This growth is especially noticeable in countries where the supplement is sold over the counter.

From Science Daily

Some 47% of 1,003 Americans surveyed by mattress company Sleepopolis currently take a sleep aid, with natural supplements like melatonin proving the most popular, in favour of prescription and over the counter medications.

From BBC

A number of pharmacies have said they have stopped making aspirin available for over the counter sales.

From BBC

U.S.-listed shares of Repsol, which trade over the counter, declined 3.5%.

From Barron's