30 Input/output library [input.output]

30.10 File systems [filesystems]

30.10.4 Terms and definitions [fs.definitions]

30.10.4.18 relative path [fs.def.rel.path]

A path that is not absolute, and as such, only unambiguously identifies the location of a file when resolved ([fs.def.pathres]) relative to an implied starting location.
The elements of a path that determine if it is relative are operating system dependent.
[Note
:
Pathnames “.
” and “.
” are relative paths.
end note
]