--- a/src/DLD-FUNCTIONS/tril.cc
+++ b/src/DLD-FUNCTIONS/tril.cc
@@ -356,9 +356,9 @@
 The default value of @var{k} is zero, so that @code{triu} and\n\
 @code{tril} normally include the main diagonal as part of the result.\n\
 \n\
-If the value of @var{k} is negative, additional elements above (for\n\
-@code{tril}) or below (for @code{triu}) the main diagonal are also\n\
-selected.\n\
+If the value of @var{k} is nonzero integer, the selection of elements\
+starts at an offset of @var{k} diagonals above or below the main\
+diagonal; above for positive @var{k} and below for negative @var{k}.\
 \n\
 The absolute value of @var{k} must not be greater than the number of\n\
 sub-diagonals or super-diagonals.\n\