Over-the-counter
Alternative forms
Origin
over + the + counter
Full definition of over-the-counter
Adjective
over-the-counter
- (pharmacy) Legal for sale or distribution without the requirement of a prescription (of medicine and other treatments); abbreviated as OTC.
- (finance) Direct interaction between two parties without an intermediary. Thus, any market where items such as stocks or currency are bought and sold at a distance, rather than on the exchange.