diff --git a/doc/lispref/functions.texi b/doc/lispref/functions.texi
index 466a12f7a4..6b98a3d639 100644
--- a/doc/lispref/functions.texi
+++ b/doc/lispref/functions.texi
@@ -1252,15 +1252,21 @@ Generic Functions
 Extensions for GNU Emacs Lisp}), or of one of its parent classes.
 @end table
 
-Alternatively, the argument specializer can be of the form
-@code{&context (@var{expr} @var{spec})}, in which case the value of
-@var{expr} must be compatible with the specializer provided by
-@var{spec}; @var{spec} can be any of the forms described above.  In
-other words, this form of specializer uses the value of @var{expr}
-instead of arguments for the decision whether the method is
-applicable.  For example, @code{&context (overwrite-mode (eql t))}
-will make the method compatible only when @code{overwrite-mode} is
-turned on.
+Generic functions provide a new argument-list keyword,
+@code{&context}, which can be used to introduce extra specializers
+that test the general environment in which the method is run.  This
+keyword should appear after the list of required arguments, but before
+any @code{&rest} or @code{&optional} keywords.  The @code{&context}
+specializers look much like regular argument
+specializers---(@var{expr} @var{spec})---except that @var{expr} is an
+expression to be evaluated in the current context, and the @var{spec}
+is a value to compare against.  For example, @code{&context
+(overwrite-mode (eql t))} will make the method applicable only when
+@code{overwrite-mode} is turned on.  The @code{&context} keyword can
+be followed by any number of context specializers.  Because the
+context specializers are not part of the generic function's required
+argument signature, they may be omitted in methods that don't require
+them.
 
 The type specializer, @code{(@var{arg} @var{type})}, can specify one
 of the @dfn{system types} in the following list.  When a parent type