"without" is abbreviated as which letter?

• A. sig.
• B. S
• C. s.o.s
• D. stat

Answer: (B)

Understanding prescription abbreviations is essential. “Without” comes from the Latin sine, and in some shorthand systems this idea is represented by the single letter S. That makes S the best choice for indicating “without.” The other options correspond to different concepts: sig. stands for signa, the directions for use; s.o.s stands for si opus sit, meaning as needed in emergencies; stat means immediately. So S specifically signals “without,” whereas the others point to usage directions, urgency, or dosing, not the absence of something.