Coun·ter, n. A table or board on which money is counted and over which business is transacted; a long, narrow table or bench, on which goods are laid for examination by purchasers, or on which they are weighed or measured.
Over the counter (a) Stock Exchanges, in an office; -- said of business so done, as distinguished from that done at an exchange. [Cant] -- (a) without a prescription; needing no prescription; -- said of medicines that can be legally bought without a physician's prescription.