-optionally the fate --- either a file that matches the pattern
-is considered excluded or included. By default, this being
-"exclude" mechanism, the fate is "excluded". A filename is
-examined against the patterns in the list, and the first match
-determines its fate.
+optionally the fate; either a file that matches the pattern is
+considered excluded or included. A filename is matched against
+the patterns in the three lists; the --exclude-from list is
+checked first, then the --exclude-per-directory list, and then
+finally the --exclude list. The last match determines its fate.
+If there is no match in the three lists, the fate is "included".