Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

basename
     
         The name of a file which, in contrast to a
        {pathname}, does not mention any of the {directories}
        containing the file.  Examples:
     
        	pathname	basename
        	--------	--------
        	/etc/hosts	hosts
        	./alma		alma
        	korte/a.a	a.a
        	a.a		a.a
     
        See also {pathname}.
     
        (1996-11-23)