- doc: /* *Maximum length for history lists before truncation takes place.
-A number means that length; t means infinite. Truncation takes place
-just after a new element is inserted. Setting the `history-length'
-property of a history variable overrides this default. */);
+ doc: /* Maximum length of history lists before truncation takes place.
+A number means truncate to that length; truncation deletes old
+elements, and is done just after inserting a new element.
+A value of t means no truncation.
+
+This variable only affects history lists that don't specify their own
+maximum lengths. Setting the `history-length' property of a history
+variable overrides this default. */);