Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

virtual path
     
         The location of a file or directory on a
        particular {server}, as seen by a remote {client} accessing it
        via {World-Wide Web} (or similar distributed document
        service).
     
        A virtual path provides access to files outside the default
        directory and subdirectories.  It appears in the form
        ".../~name/..." where "~name" is replaced with actual path
        configured by the administrator.  An {access control list} can
        be associated with a virtual path.
     
        (1995-04-13)