Remove * characters from the front of variable docstrings.

13 files changed, 111 insertions, 111 deletions

diff --git a/lisp/textmodes/artist.el b/lisp/textmodes/artist.el
index 72ae44bb60d..dedbfcbf338 100644
--- a/lisp/textmodes/artist.el
+++ b/lisp/textmodes/artist.el
@@ -349,7 +349,7 @@ Example:
 
 
 (defvar artist-pointer-shape (if (eq window-system 'x) x-pointer-crosshair nil)
-  "*If in X Windows, use this pointer shape while drawing with the mouse.")
+  "If in X Windows, use this pointer shape while drawing with the mouse.")
 
 
 (defcustom artist-text-renderer-function 'artist-figlet
@@ -397,13 +397,13 @@ Example:
   ;; This is a defvar, not a defcustom, since the custom
   ;; package shows lists of characters as a lists of integers,
   ;; which is confusing
-  "*Characters (``color'') to use when spraying.
+  "Characters (``color'') to use when spraying.
 They should be ordered from the ``lightest'' to the ``heaviest''
 since spraying replaces a light character with the next heavier one.")
 
 
 (defvar artist-spray-new-char ?.
-  "*Initial character to use when spraying.
+  "Initial character to use when spraying.
 This character is used if spraying upon a character that is not in
 `artist-spray-chars'.  The character defined by this variable should
 be in `artist-spray-chars', or spraying will behave strangely.")
diff --git a/lisp/textmodes/bib-mode.el b/lisp/textmodes/bib-mode.el
index 01733f97042..c8881fa5f9d 100644
--- a/lisp/textmodes/bib-mode.el
+++ b/lisp/textmodes/bib-mode.el
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ with the cdr.")
 
 
 (defcustom bib-auto-capitalize t
-  "*True to automatically capitalize appropriate fields in Bib mode."
+  "True to automatically capitalize appropriate fields in Bib mode."
   :type 'boolean
   :group 'bib)
 
diff --git a/lisp/textmodes/bibtex.el b/lisp/textmodes/bibtex.el
index a873680a8c8..87a32ad47a9 100644
--- a/lisp/textmodes/bibtex.el
+++ b/lisp/textmodes/bibtex.el
@@ -917,7 +917,7 @@ to the directories specified in `bibtex-string-file-path'."
   :type '(repeat file))
 
 (defvar bibtex-string-file-path (getenv "BIBINPUTS")
-  "*Colon separated list of paths to search for `bibtex-string-files'.")
+  "Colon separated list of paths to search for `bibtex-string-files'.")
 
 (defcustom bibtex-files nil
   "List of BibTeX files that are searched for entry keys.
@@ -931,7 +931,7 @@ See also `bibtex-search-entry-globally'."
                          directory file)))
 
 (defvar bibtex-file-path (getenv "BIBINPUTS")
-  "*Colon separated list of paths to search for `bibtex-files'.")
+  "Colon separated list of paths to search for `bibtex-files'.")
 
 (defcustom bibtex-search-entry-globally nil
   "If non-nil, interactive calls of `bibtex-search-entry' search globally.
@@ -1614,7 +1614,7 @@ Initialized by `bibtex-set-dialect'.")
     ,@(mapcar (lambda (matcher)
                 `((lambda (bound) (bibtex-font-lock-cite ',matcher bound))))
               bibtex-cite-matcher-alist))
-  "*Default expressions to highlight in BibTeX mode.")
+  "Default expressions to highlight in BibTeX mode.")
 
 (defvar bibtex-font-lock-url-regexp
   ;; Assume that field names begin at the beginning of a line.
diff --git a/lisp/textmodes/flyspell.el b/lisp/textmodes/flyspell.el
index 930fda0626b..24967ded154 100644
--- a/lisp/textmodes/flyspell.el
+++ b/lisp/textmodes/flyspell.el
@@ -436,7 +436,7 @@ like <img alt=\"Some thing.\">."
 
 ;; dash character machinery
 (defvar flyspell-consider-dash-as-word-delimiter-flag nil
-   "*Non-nil means that the `-' char is considered as a word delimiter.")
+  "Non-nil means that the `-' char is considered as a word delimiter.")
 (make-variable-buffer-local 'flyspell-consider-dash-as-word-delimiter-flag)
 (defvar flyspell-dash-dictionary nil)
 (make-variable-buffer-local 'flyspell-dash-dictionary)
diff --git a/lisp/textmodes/ispell.el b/lisp/textmodes/ispell.el
index 75e8bd5a87d..74c32817734 100644
--- a/lisp/textmodes/ispell.el
+++ b/lisp/textmodes/ispell.el
@@ -277,13 +277,13 @@ full featured `looking-back' function is missing."
 ;;;  ******* THIS FILE IS WRITTEN FOR ISPELL VERSION 3.1+
 
 (defcustom ispell-highlight-p 'block
-  "*Highlight spelling errors when non-nil.
+  "Highlight spelling errors when non-nil.
 When set to `block', assumes a block cursor with TTY displays."
   :type '(choice (const block) (const :tag "off" nil) (const :tag "on" t))
   :group 'ispell)
 
 (defcustom ispell-lazy-highlight (boundp 'lazy-highlight-cleanup)
-  "*Controls the lazy-highlighting of spelling errors.
+  "Controls the lazy-highlighting of spelling errors.
 When non-nil, all text in the buffer matching the current spelling
 error is highlighted lazily using isearch lazy highlighting (see
 `lazy-highlight-initial-delay' and `lazy-highlight-interval')."
@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@ error is highlighted lazily using isearch lazy highlighting (see
   :version "22.1")
 
 (defcustom ispell-highlight-face (if ispell-lazy-highlight 'isearch 'highlight)
-  "*The face used for Ispell highlighting.  For Emacsen with overlays.
+  "The face used for Ispell highlighting.  For Emacsen with overlays.
 Possible values are `highlight', `modeline', `secondary-selection',
 `region', and `underline'.
 This variable can be set by the user to whatever face they desire.
@@ -303,7 +303,7 @@ slightly different."
   :group 'ispell)
 
 (defcustom ispell-check-comments t
-  "*Spelling of comments checked when non-nil.
+  "Spelling of comments checked when non-nil.
 When set to `exclusive', ONLY comments are checked.  (For code comments).
 Warning!  Not checking comments, when a comment start is embedded in strings,
 may produce undesired results."
@@ -314,13 +314,13 @@ may produce undesired results."
      (lambda (a) (memq a '(nil t exclusive))))
 
 (defcustom ispell-query-replace-choices nil
-  "*Corrections made throughout region when non-nil.
+  "Corrections made throughout region when non-nil.
 Uses `query-replace' (\\[query-replace]) for corrections."
   :type 'boolean
   :group 'ispell)
 
 (defcustom ispell-skip-tib nil
-  "*Does not spell check `tib' bibliography references when non-nil.
+  "Does not spell check `tib' bibliography references when non-nil.
 Skips any text between strings matching regular expressions
 `ispell-tib-ref-beginning' and `ispell-tib-ref-end'.
 
@@ -337,13 +337,13 @@ That includes the [.5mm] type of number..."
   "Regexp matching the end of a Tib reference.")
 
 (defcustom ispell-keep-choices-win t
-  "*If non-nil, keep the `*Choices*' window for the entire spelling session.
+  "If non-nil, keep the `*Choices*' window for the entire spelling session.
 This minimizes redisplay thrashing."
   :type 'boolean
   :group 'ispell)
 
 (defcustom ispell-choices-win-default-height 2
-  "*The default size of the `*Choices*' window, including the mode line.
+  "The default size of the `*Choices*' window, including the mode line.
 Must be greater than 1."
   :type 'integer
   :group 'ispell)
@@ -366,18 +366,18 @@ Must be greater than 1."
         ((file-readable-p "/usr/share/lib/dict/words")
          "/usr/share/lib/dict/words")
         ((file-readable-p "/sys/dict") "/sys/dict"))
-  "*Alternate plain word-list dictionary for spelling help."
+  "Alternate plain word-list dictionary for spelling help."
   :type '(choice file (const :tag "None" nil))
   :group 'ispell)
 
 (defcustom ispell-complete-word-dict nil
-  "*Plain word-list dictionary used for word completion if
+  "Plain word-list dictionary used for word completion if
 different from `ispell-alternate-dictionary'."
   :type '(choice file (const :tag "None" nil))
   :group 'ispell)
 
 (defcustom ispell-message-dictionary-alist nil
-  "*List used by `ispell-message' to select a new dictionary.
+  "List used by `ispell-message' to select a new dictionary.
 It consists of pairs (REGEXP . DICTIONARY).  If REGEXP is found
 in the message headers, `ispell-local-dictionary' will be set to
 DICTIONARY if `ispell-local-dictionary' is not buffer-local.
@@ -389,7 +389,7 @@ E.g. you may use the following value:
 
 
 (defcustom ispell-message-fcc-skip 50000
-  "*Query before saving Fcc message copy if attachment larger than this value.
+  "Query before saving Fcc message copy if attachment larger than this value.
 Always stores Fcc copy of message when nil."
   :type '(choice integer (const :tag "off" nil))
   :group 'ispell)
@@ -423,13 +423,13 @@ This must be an absolute file name."
   :group 'ispell)
 
 (defcustom ispell-look-p (file-exists-p ispell-look-command)
-  "*Non-nil means use `look' rather than `grep'.
+  "Non-nil means use `look' rather than `grep'.
 Default is based on whether `look' seems to be available."
   :type 'boolean
   :group 'ispell)
 
 (defcustom ispell-have-new-look nil
-  "*Non-nil means use the `-r' option (regexp) when running `look'."
+  "Non-nil means use the `-r' option (regexp) when running `look'."
   :type 'boolean
   :group 'ispell)
 
@@ -445,13 +445,13 @@ When nil, Emacs uses pipes."
   :group 'ispell)
 
 (defcustom ispell-following-word nil
-  "*Non-nil means `ispell-word' checks the word around or after point.
+  "Non-nil means `ispell-word' checks the word around or after point.
 Otherwise `ispell-word' checks the preceding word."
   :type 'boolean
   :group 'ispell)
 
 (defcustom ispell-help-in-bufferp nil
-  "*Non-nil means display interactive keymap help in a buffer.
+  "Non-nil means display interactive keymap help in a buffer.
 The following values are supported:
   nil        Expand the minibuffer and display a short help message
              there for a couple of seconds.
@@ -463,12 +463,12 @@ The following values are supported:
   :group 'ispell)
 
 (defcustom ispell-quietly nil
-  "*Non-nil means suppress messages in `ispell-word'."
+  "Non-nil means suppress messages in `ispell-word'."
   :type 'boolean
   :group 'ispell)
 
 (defcustom ispell-format-word-function (function upcase)
-  "*Formatting function for displaying word being spell checked.
+  "Formatting function for displaying word being spell checked.
 The function must take one string argument and return a string."
   :type 'function
   :group 'ispell)
@@ -484,7 +484,7 @@ window system by evaluating the following on startup to set this variable:
 
 ;;;###autoload
 (defcustom ispell-personal-dictionary nil
-  "*File name of your personal spelling dictionary, or nil.
+  "File name of your personal spelling dictionary, or nil.
 If nil, the default personal dictionary, (\"~/.ispell_DICTNAME\" for ispell or
 \"~/.aspell.LANG.pws\" for aspell) is used, where DICTNAME is the name of your
 default dictionary and LANG the two letter language code."
@@ -493,7 +493,7 @@ default dictionary and LANG the two letter language code."
   :group 'ispell)
 
 (defcustom ispell-silently-savep nil
-  "*When non-nil, save personal dictionary without asking for confirmation."
+  "When non-nil, save personal dictionary without asking for confirmation."
   :type 'boolean
   :group 'ispell)
 
@@ -527,7 +527,7 @@ is automatically set when defined in the file with either
   :group 'ispell)
 
 (defcustom ispell-extra-args nil
-  "*If non-nil, a list of extra switches to pass to the Ispell program.
+  "If non-nil, a list of extra switches to pass to the Ispell program.
 For example, (\"-W\" \"3\") to cause it to accept all 1-3 character
 words as correct.  See also `ispell-dictionary-alist', which may be used
 for language-specific arguments."
@@ -537,7 +537,7 @@ for language-specific arguments."
 
 
 (defcustom ispell-skip-html 'use-mode-name
-  "*Indicates whether ispell should skip spell checking of SGML markup.
+  "Indicates whether ispell should skip spell checking of SGML markup.
 If t, always skip SGML markup; if nil, never skip; if non-t and non-nil,
 guess whether SGML markup should be skipped according to the name of the
 buffer's major mode."
@@ -549,7 +549,7 @@ buffer's major mode."
 
 
 (defcustom ispell-local-dictionary-alist nil
-  "*List of local or customized dictionary definitions.
+  "List of local or customized dictionary definitions.
 These can override the values in `ispell-dictionary-alist'.
 
 To make permanent changes to your dictionary definitions, you
@@ -1470,7 +1470,7 @@ Valid forms include:
      ("list"                             ispell-tex-arg-end 2)
      ("program"         . "\\\\end[ \t\n]*{[ \t\n]*program[ \t\n]*}")
      ("verbatim\\*?"    . "\\\\end[ \t\n]*{[ \t\n]*verbatim\\*?[ \t\n]*}"))))
-  "*Lists of regions to be skipped in TeX mode.
+  "Lists of regions to be skipped in TeX mode.
 First list is used raw.
 Second list has key placed inside \\begin{}.
 
@@ -1489,7 +1489,7 @@ for skipping in latex mode.")
     ("<[tT][tT]/"                         "/")
     ("<[^ \t\n>]"                         ">")
     ("&[^ \t\n;]"                         "[; \t\n]"))
-  "*Lists of start and end keys to skip in HTML buffers.
+  "Lists of start and end keys to skip in HTML buffers.
 Same format as `ispell-skip-region-alist'.
 Note - substrings of other matches must come last
  (e.g. \"<[tT][tT]/\" and \"<[^ \\t\\n>]\").")
@@ -1513,7 +1513,7 @@ local variable syntax.")
 Ispell is then restarted because the local words could conflict.")
 
 (defvar ispell-parser 'use-mode-name
-   "*Indicates whether ispell should parse the current buffer as TeX Code.
+  "Indicates whether ispell should parse the current buffer as TeX Code.
 Special value `use-mode-name' tries to guess using the name of `major-mode'.
 Default parser is `nroff'.
 Currently the only other valid parser is `tex'.
@@ -3530,7 +3530,7 @@ Don't read buffer-local settings or word lists."
                ;; Matches commonly used "cut" boundaries
                "^\\(- \\)?[-=_]+\\s ?\\(cut here\\|Environment Follows\\)")
              "\\|")
-  "*Text beyond which `ispell-message' will not spell-check.
+  "Text beyond which `ispell-message' will not spell-check.
 If it is a string, limit is the first occurrence of that regular expression.
 Otherwise, it must be a function which is called to get the limit.")
 (put 'ispell-message-text-end 'risky-local-variable t)
diff --git a/lisp/textmodes/refbib.el b/lisp/textmodes/refbib.el
index b473019643a..62fa68ca793 100644
--- a/lisp/textmodes/refbib.el
+++ b/lisp/textmodes/refbib.el
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@
   :group 'wp)
 
 (defcustom r2b-trace-on nil
-  "*Non-nil means trace conversion."
+  "Non-nil means trace conversion."
   :type 'boolean
   :group 'refbib)
 
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ in `r2b-proceedings-list' (although it wouldn't cause an error)."
 This is in addition to the `r2b-capitalize-title-stop-words'.")
 
 (defcustom r2b-delimit-with-quote t
-  "*If true, then use \" to delimit fields, otherwise use braces."
+  "If true, then use \" to delimit fields, otherwise use braces."
   :type 'boolean
   :group 'refbib)
 
@@ -204,12 +204,12 @@ This is in addition to the `r2b-capitalize-title-stop-words'.")
    (buffer-substring (match-beginning exp) (match-end exp)))
 
 (defcustom r2b-out-buf-name "*Out*"
-  "*Name of buffer for output from refer-to-bibtex."
+  "Name of buffer for output from refer-to-bibtex."
   :type 'string
   :group 'refbib)
 
 (defcustom r2b-log-name "*Log*"
-  "*Name of buffer for logs errors from refer-to-bibtex."
+  "Name of buffer for logs errors from refer-to-bibtex."
   :type 'string
   :group 'refbib)
 
diff --git a/lisp/textmodes/reftex-dcr.el b/lisp/textmodes/reftex-dcr.el
index ebda25ea932..b1e426c5566 100644
--- a/lisp/textmodes/reftex-dcr.el
+++ b/lisp/textmodes/reftex-dcr.el
@@ -316,7 +316,7 @@ With argument, actually select the window showing the cross reference."
         (run-hooks 'reftex-display-copied-context-hook)))))
 
 (defvar reftex-use-itimer-in-xemacs nil
-  "*Non-nil means use the idle timers in XEmacs for crossref display.
+  "Non-nil means use the idle timers in XEmacs for crossref display.
 Currently, idle timer restart is broken and we use the post-command-hook.")
 
 (defun reftex-toggle-auto-view-crossref ()
diff --git a/lisp/textmodes/reftex-vars.el b/lisp/textmodes/reftex-vars.el
index 98135b7ce24..4c875a35b3e 100644
--- a/lisp/textmodes/reftex-vars.el
+++ b/lisp/textmodes/reftex-vars.el
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ select the nearest entry with the correct new level."
                  (symbol :tag "function        " my-level-func)))))
 
 (defcustom reftex-toc-max-level 100
-  "*The maximum level of toc entries which will be included in the TOC.
+  "The maximum level of toc entries which will be included in the TOC.
 Section headings with a bigger level will be ignored.  In RefTeX, chapters
 are level 1, sections are level 2 etc.
 This variable can be changed from within the *toc* buffer with the `t' key."
@@ -302,7 +302,7 @@ This variable can be changed from within the *toc* buffer with the `t' key."
   :type 'integer)
 
 (defcustom reftex-part-resets-chapter nil
-  "*Non-nil means, \\part is like any other sectioning command.
+  "Non-nil means, \\part is like any other sectioning command.
 This means, part numbers will be included in the numbering of chapters, and
 chapter counters will be reset for each part.
 When nil (the default), parts are special, do not reset the chapter counter
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ and also do not show up in chapter numbers."
 
 
 (defcustom reftex-auto-recenter-toc 'frame
-  "*Non-nil means, turn automatic recentering of *TOC* window on.
+  "Non-nil means, turn automatic recentering of *TOC* window on.
 When active, the *TOC* window will always show the section you
 are currently working in.  Recentering happens whenever Emacs is idle for
 more than `reftex-idle-time' seconds.
@@ -335,12 +335,12 @@ This feature can be turned on and off from the menu
           (const :tag "in dedicated frame only" frame)))
 
 (defcustom reftex-toc-split-windows-horizontally nil
-  "*Non-nil means, create TOC window by splitting window horizontally."
+  "Non-nil means, create TOC window by splitting window horizontally."
   :group 'reftex-table-of-contents-browser
   :type 'boolean)
 
 (defcustom reftex-toc-split-windows-fraction .3
-  "*Fraction of the width or height of the frame to be used for TOC window.
+  "Fraction of the width or height of the frame to be used for TOC window.
 See also `reftex-toc-split-windows-horizontally'."
   :group 'reftex-table-of-contents-browser
   :type 'number)
@@ -349,7 +349,7 @@ See also `reftex-toc-split-windows-horizontally'."
   "This variable is obsolete, use `reftex-toc-split-windows-fraction' instead.")
 
 (defcustom reftex-toc-keep-other-windows t
-  "*Non-nil means, split the selected window to display the *toc* buffer.
+  "Non-nil means, split the selected window to display the *toc* buffer.
 This helps to keep the window configuration, but makes the *toc* small.
 When nil, all other windows except the selected one will be deleted, so
 that the *toc* window fills half the frame."
@@ -357,25 +357,25 @@ that the *toc* window fills half the frame."
   :type 'boolean)
 
 (defcustom reftex-toc-include-file-boundaries nil
-  "*Non-nil means, include file boundaries in *toc* buffer.
+  "Non-nil means, include file boundaries in *toc* buffer.
 This flag can be toggled from within the *toc* buffer with the `F' key."
   :group 'reftex-table-of-contents-browser
   :type 'boolean)
 
 (defcustom reftex-toc-include-labels nil
-  "*Non-nil means, include labels in *toc* buffer.
+  "Non-nil means, include labels in *toc* buffer.
 This flag can be toggled from within the *toc* buffer with the `l' key."
   :group 'reftex-table-of-contents-browser
   :type 'boolean)
 
 (defcustom reftex-toc-include-index-entries nil
-  "*Non-nil means, include index entries in *toc* buffer.
+  "Non-nil means, include index entries in *toc* buffer.
 This flag can be toggled from within the *toc* buffer with the `i' key."
   :group 'reftex-table-of-contents-browser
   :type 'boolean)
 
 (defcustom reftex-toc-confirm-promotion 2
-  "*Non-nil means, promotion/demotion commands first prompt for confirmation.
+  "Non-nil means, promotion/demotion commands first prompt for confirmation.
 When nil, the command is executed immediately.  When this is an integer
 N, ask for confirmation only if N or more section commands are going to be
 changed."
@@ -386,21 +386,21 @@ changed."
           (number :tag "When more than N sections" :value 2)))
 
 (defcustom reftex-toc-include-context nil
-  "*Non-nil means, include context with labels in the *toc* buffer.
+  "Non-nil means, include context with labels in the *toc* buffer.
 Context will only be shown when labels are visible as well.
 This flag can be toggled from within the *toc* buffer with the `c' key."
   :group 'reftex-table-of-contents-browser
   :type 'boolean)
 
 (defcustom reftex-toc-follow-mode nil
-  "*Non-nil means, point in *toc* buffer will cause other window to follow.
+  "Non-nil means, point in *toc* buffer will cause other window to follow.
 The other window will show the corresponding part of the document.
 This flag can be toggled from within the *toc* buffer with the `f' key."
   :group 'reftex-table-of-contents-browser
   :type 'boolean)
 
 (defcustom reftex-revisit-to-follow nil
-  "*Non-nil means, follow-mode will revisit files if necessary.
+  "Non-nil means, follow-mode will revisit files if necessary.
 When nil, follow-mode will be suspended for stuff in unvisited files."
   :group 'reftex-table-of-contents-browser
   :group 'reftex-referencing-labels
@@ -940,7 +940,7 @@ This is used to string together whole reference sets, like
   :type '(repeat (cons (character) (string))))
 
 (defcustom reftex-vref-is-default nil
-  "*Non-nil means, the varioref macro \\vref is used as default.
+  "Non-nil means, the varioref macro \\vref is used as default.
 In the selection buffer, the `v' key toggles the reference macro between
 `\\ref' and `\\vref'.  The value of this variable determines the default
 which is active when entering the selection process.
@@ -951,7 +951,7 @@ the label types for which it should be true."
 ;;;###autoload(put 'reftex-vref-is-default 'safe-local-variable (lambda (x) (or (stringp x) (symbolp x))))
 
 (defcustom reftex-fref-is-default nil
-  "*Non-nil means, the fancyref macro \\fref is used as default.
+  "Non-nil means, the fancyref macro \\fref is used as default.
 In the selection buffer, the `V' key toggles the reference macro between
 `\\ref', `\\fref' and `\\Fref'.  The value of this variable determines
 the default which is active when entering the selection process.
@@ -962,13 +962,13 @@ the label types for which it should be true."
 ;;;###autoload(put 'reftex-fref-is-default 'safe-local-variable (lambda (x) (or (stringp x) (symbolp x))))
 
 (defcustom reftex-level-indent 2
-  "*Number of spaces to be used for indentation per section level."
+  "Number of spaces to be used for indentation per section level."
   :group 'reftex-referencing-labels
   :type 'integer)
 ;;;###autoload(put 'reftex-level-indent 'safe-local-variable 'integerp)
 
 (defcustom reftex-guess-label-type t
-  "*Non-nil means, `reftex-reference' will try to guess the label type.
+  "Non-nil means, `reftex-reference' will try to guess the label type.
 To do that, RefTeX will look at the word before the cursor and compare it with
 the words given in `reftex-label-alist'.  When it finds a match, RefTeX will
 immediately offer the correct label menu - otherwise it will prompt you for
@@ -1009,7 +1009,7 @@ string to insert into the buffer."
 
 (defvar reftex-bibfile-ignore-list nil) ; compatibility
 (defcustom reftex-bibfile-ignore-regexps nil
-  "*List of regular expressions to exclude files in \\bibliography{..}.
+  "List of regular expressions to exclude files in \\bibliography{..}.
 File names matched by these regexps will not be parsed by RefTeX.
 Intended for files which contain only `@string' macro definitions and the
 like, which are ignored by RefTeX anyway."
@@ -1018,7 +1018,7 @@ like, which are ignored by RefTeX anyway."
   :type '(repeat (regexp)))
 
 (defcustom reftex-default-bibliography nil
-  "*List of BibTeX database files which should be used if none are specified.
+  "List of BibTeX database files which should be used if none are specified.
 When `reftex-citation' is called from a document which has neither a
 `\\bibliography{..}' statement nor a `thebibliography' environment,
 RefTeX will scan these files instead.  Intended for using `reftex-citation'
@@ -1028,7 +1028,7 @@ path."
   :type '(repeat (file)))
 
 (defcustom reftex-sort-bibtex-matches 'reverse-year
-  "*Sorting of the entries found in BibTeX databases by reftex-citation.
+  "Sorting of the entries found in BibTeX databases by reftex-citation.
 Possible values:
 nil            Do not sort entries.
 'author        Sort entries by author name.
@@ -1041,7 +1041,7 @@ nil            Do not sort entries.
                  (const :tag "by year, reversed" reverse-year)))
 
 (defcustom reftex-cite-format 'default
-  "*The format of citations to be inserted into the buffer.
+  "The format of citations to be inserted into the buffer.
 It can be a string or an alist or a symbol.  In the simplest case this
 is just the string \"\\cite{%l}\", which is also the default.  See the
 definition of `reftex-cite-format-builtin' for more complex examples.
@@ -1105,7 +1105,7 @@ E.g.: (setq reftex-cite-format 'natbib)"
                   (string    :tag "Format string" "")))))
 
 (defcustom reftex-cite-prompt-optional-args 'maybe
-  "*Non-nil means, prompt for empty optional arguments in cite macros.
+  "Non-nil means, prompt for empty optional arguments in cite macros.
 When an entry in `reftex-cite-format' ist given with square brackets to
 indicate optional arguments (for example \\cite[][]{%l}), RefTeX can
 prompt for values.  Possible values are:
@@ -1123,7 +1123,7 @@ the buffer.  See `reftex-cite-cleanup-optional-args'."
           (const :tag "Never" nil)))
 
 (defcustom reftex-cite-cleanup-optional-args t
-  "*Non-nil means, remove unnecessary empty optional arguments in cite macros.
+  "Non-nil means, remove unnecessary empty optional arguments in cite macros.
 The cite macros provided by some packages (for example
 natbib) allow specifying two optional arguments, one for a prefix to
 the citation, and a second for a postfix.  When only one optional
@@ -1141,7 +1141,7 @@ can be turned off."
   :type 'boolean)
 
 (defcustom reftex-comment-citations nil
-  "*Non-nil means add a comment for each citation describing the full entry.
+  "Non-nil means add a comment for each citation describing the full entry.
 The comment is formatted according to `reftex-cite-comment-format'."
   :group 'reftex-citation-support
   :type 'boolean)
@@ -1195,7 +1195,7 @@ should return the string to insert into the buffer."
   :group 'reftex)
 
 (defcustom reftex-support-index t
-  "*Non-nil means, index entries are parsed as well.
+  "Non-nil means, index entries are parsed as well.
 Index support is resource intensive and the internal structure holding the
 parsed information can become quite big.  Therefore it can be turned off.
 When this is nil and you execute a command which requires index support,
@@ -1354,7 +1354,7 @@ has higher priority than this logical `or'."
   :type 'regexp)
 
 (defcustom reftex-index-phrases-search-whole-words t
-  "*Non-nil means phrases search will look for whole words, not subwords.
+  "Non-nil means phrases search will look for whole words, not subwords.
 This works by requiring word boundaries at the beginning and end of
 the search string.  When the search phrase already has a non-word-char
 at one of these points, no word boundary is required there."
@@ -1362,7 +1362,7 @@ at one of these points, no word boundary is required there."
   :type 'boolean)
 
 (defcustom reftex-index-phrases-case-fold-search t
-  "*Non-nil means, searching for index phrases will ignore case."
+  "Non-nil means, searching for index phrases will ignore case."
   :group 'reftex-index-support
   :type 'boolean)
 
@@ -1375,7 +1375,7 @@ If the function returns nil, the current match is skipped."
           (function)))
 
 (defcustom reftex-index-phrases-skip-indexed-matches nil
-  "*Non-nil means, skip matches which appear to be indexed already.
+  "Non-nil means, skip matches which appear to be indexed already.
 When doing global indexing from the phrases buffer, searches for some
 phrases may match at places where that phrase was already indexed.  In
 particular when indexing an already processed document again, this
@@ -1387,7 +1387,7 @@ be ignored."
   :type 'boolean)
 
 (defcustom reftex-index-phrases-wrap-long-lines nil
-  "*Non-nil means, when indexing from the phrases buffer, wrap lines.
+  "Non-nil means, when indexing from the phrases buffer, wrap lines.
 Inserting indexing commands in a line makes the line longer - often
 so long that it does not fit onto the screen.  When this variable is
 non-nil, newlines will be added as necessary before and/or after the
@@ -1397,7 +1397,7 @@ phrase and its index command will always end up on a single line."
   :type 'boolean)
 
 (defcustom reftex-index-phrases-sort-prefers-entry nil
-  "*Non-nil means when sorting phrase lines, the explicit index entry is used.
+  "Non-nil means when sorting phrase lines, the explicit index entry is used.
 Phrase lines in the phrases buffer contain a search phrase, and
 sorting is normally based on these.  Some phrase lines also have
 an explicit index argument specified.  When this variable is non-nil,
@@ -1406,7 +1406,7 @@ the index argument will be used for sorting."
   :type 'boolean)
 
 (defcustom reftex-index-phrases-sort-in-blocks t
-  "*Non-nil means, empty and comment lines separate phrase buffer into blocks.
+  "Non-nil means, empty and comment lines separate phrase buffer into blocks.
 Sorting will then preserve blocks, so that lines are re-arranged only
 within blocks."
   :group 'reftex-index-support
@@ -1425,13 +1425,13 @@ to that section."
   :type '(string :tag "Capital letters"))
 
 (defcustom reftex-index-include-context nil
-  "*Non-nil means, display the index definition context in the index buffer.
+  "Non-nil means, display the index definition context in the index buffer.
 This flag may also be toggled from the index buffer with the `c' key."
   :group 'reftex-index-support
   :type 'boolean)
 
 (defcustom reftex-index-follow-mode nil
-  "*Non-nil means, point in *Index* buffer will cause other window to follow.
+  "Non-nil means, point in *Index* buffer will cause other window to follow.
 The other window will show the corresponding part of the document.
 This flag can be toggled from within the *Index* buffer with the `f' key."
   :group 'reftex-table-of-contents-browser
@@ -1463,7 +1463,7 @@ which subgroup of the match should be highlighted."
                         (integer :tag "Highlight Group"))))
 
 (defcustom reftex-auto-view-crossref t
-  "*Non-nil means, initially turn automatic viewing of crossref info on.
+  "Non-nil means, initially turn automatic viewing of crossref info on.
 Automatic viewing of crossref info normally uses the echo area.
 Whenever point is idle for more than `reftex-idle-time' seconds on the
 argument of a \\ref or \\cite macro, and no other message is being
@@ -1478,20 +1478,20 @@ This feature can be turned on and off from the menu
                  (const :tag "in Other Window" window)))
 
 (defcustom reftex-idle-time 1.2
-  "*Time (secs) Emacs has to be idle before automatic crossref display is done.
+  "Time (secs) Emacs has to be idle before automatic crossref display is done.
 Applies also to toc recentering."
   :group 'reftex-viewing-cross-references
   :type 'number)
 
 (defcustom reftex-revisit-to-echo nil
-  "*Non-nil means, automatic citation display will revisit files if necessary.
+  "Non-nil means, automatic citation display will revisit files if necessary.
 When nil, citation display in echo area will only be active for cached
 entries and for BibTeX database files with live associated buffers."
   :group 'reftex-viewing-cross-references
   :type 'boolean)
 
 (defcustom reftex-cache-cite-echo t
-  "*Non-nil means, the information displayed in the echo area for cite macros
+  "Non-nil means, the information displayed in the echo area for cite macros
 is cached and even saved along with the parsing information.  The cache
 survives document scans.  In order to clear it, use M-x reftex-reset-mode."
   :group 'reftex-viewing-cross-references
@@ -1511,7 +1511,7 @@ for X-Symbol, but may have other uses as well."
   :group 'reftex)
 
 (defcustom reftex-texpath-environment-variables '("TEXINPUTS")
-  "*List of specifications how to retrieve the search path for TeX files.
+  "List of specifications how to retrieve the search path for TeX files.
 Several entries are possible.
 - If an element is the name of an environment variable, its content is used.
 - If an element starts with an exclamation mark, it is used as a command
@@ -1526,7 +1526,7 @@ See also `reftex-use-external-file-finders'."
   :type '(repeat (string :tag "Specification")))
 
 (defcustom reftex-bibpath-environment-variables '("BIBINPUTS" "TEXBIB")
-  "*List of specifications how to retrieve search path for .bib database files.
+  "List of specifications how to retrieve search path for .bib database files.
 Several entries are possible.
 - If an element is the name of an environment variable, its content is used.
 - If an element starts with an exclamation mark, it is used as a command
@@ -1543,7 +1543,7 @@ See also `reftex-use-external-file-finders'."
 
 (defcustom reftex-file-extensions '(("tex" . (".tex" ".ltx"))
                                     ("bib" . (".bib")))
-  "*Association list with file extensions for different file types.
+  "Association list with file extensions for different file types.
 This is a list of items, each item is like: (TYPE . (DEF-EXT OTHER-EXT ...))
 
 TYPE:       File type like \"bib\" or \"tex\".
@@ -1572,7 +1572,7 @@ Note that if you are using external file finders, this option has no effect."
   :type 'boolean)
 
 (defcustom reftex-search-unrecursed-path-first t
-  "*Non-nil means, search all specified directories before trying recursion.
+  "Non-nil means, search all specified directories before trying recursion.
 Thus, in a path \".//:/tex/\", search first \"./\", then \"/tex/\" and then
 all subdirectories of \"./\".  If this option is nil, the subdirectories of
 \"./\" are searched before \"/tex/\".  This is mainly for speed - most of the
@@ -1583,7 +1583,7 @@ in wrong sequence."
   :type 'boolean)
 
 (defcustom reftex-use-external-file-finders nil
-  "*Non-nil means, use external programs to find files.
+  "Non-nil means, use external programs to find files.
 Normally, RefTeX searches the paths given in the environment variables
 TEXINPUTS and BIBINPUTS to find TeX files and BibTeX database files.
 With this option turned on, it calls an external program specified in the
@@ -1595,7 +1595,7 @@ the variables `reftex-texpath-environment-variables' and
 
 (defcustom reftex-external-file-finders '(("tex" . "kpsewhich -format=.tex %f")
                                           ("bib" . "kpsewhich -format=.bib %f"))
-  "*Association list with external programs to call for finding files.
+  "Association list with external programs to call for finding files.
 Each entry is a cons cell (TYPE . PROGRAM).
 TYPE is either \"tex\" or \"bib\".  PROGRAM is the external program to use with
 any arguments.  %f will be replaced by the name of the file to be found.
@@ -1612,7 +1612,7 @@ Only relevant when `reftex-use-external-file-finders' is non-nil."
   :group 'reftex)
 
 (defcustom reftex-keep-temporary-buffers 1
-  "*Non-nil means, keep buffers created for parsing and lookup.
+  "Non-nil means, keep buffers created for parsing and lookup.
 RefTeX sometimes needs to visit files related to the current document.
 We distinguish files visited for
 PARSING: Parts of a multifile document loaded when (re)-parsing the document.
@@ -1637,7 +1637,7 @@ upon the variable `reftex-initialize-temporary-buffers'."
           (const :tag "Keep lookup buffers only" 1)))
 
 (defcustom reftex-initialize-temporary-buffers nil
-  "*Non-nil means do initializations even when visiting file temporarily.
+  "Non-nil means do initializations even when visiting file temporarily.
 When nil, RefTeX may turn off find-file hooks and other stuff to briefly
 visit a file.
 When t, the full default initializations are done (find-file-hook etc.).
@@ -1651,14 +1651,14 @@ do a minimal initialization."
            (function-item))))
 
 (defcustom reftex-no-include-regexps '("\\.pstex_t\\'")
-  "*List of regular expressions to exclude certain input files from parsing.
+  "List of regular expressions to exclude certain input files from parsing.
 If the name of a file included via \\include or \\input is matched by any
 of the regular expressions in this list, that file is not parsed by RefTeX."
   :group 'reftex-optimizations-for-large-documents
   :type '(repeat (regexp)))
 
 (defcustom reftex-enable-partial-scans nil
-  "*Non-nil means, re-parse only 1 file when asked to re-parse.
+  "Non-nil means, re-parse only 1 file when asked to re-parse.
 Re-parsing is normally requested with a `C-u' prefix to many RefTeX commands,
 or with the `r' key in menus.  When this option is t in a multifile document,
 we will only parse the current buffer, or the file associated with the label
@@ -1669,7 +1669,7 @@ in menus."
   :type 'boolean)
 
 (defcustom reftex-allow-automatic-rescan t
-  "*Non-nil means, RefTeX may rescan the document when this seems necessary.
+  "Non-nil means, RefTeX may rescan the document when this seems necessary.
 Currently this applies only to rescanning after label insertion, when
 the new label cannot be inserted correctly into the internal label
 list."
@@ -1677,7 +1677,7 @@ list."
   :type 'boolean)
 
 (defcustom reftex-save-parse-info nil
-  "*Non-nil means, save information gathered with parsing in a file.
+  "Non-nil means, save information gathered with parsing in a file.
 The file MASTER.rel in the same directory as MASTER.tex is used to save the
 information.  When this variable is t,
 - accessing the parsing information for the first time in an editing session
@@ -1688,13 +1688,13 @@ information.  When this variable is t,
   :type 'boolean)
 
 (defcustom reftex-parse-file-extension ".rel"
-  "*File extension for the file in which parser information is stored.
+  "File extension for the file in which parser information is stored.
 This extension is added to the base name of the master file."
   :group 'reftex-optimizations-for-large-documents
   :type 'string)
 
 (defcustom reftex-use-multiple-selection-buffers nil
-  "*Non-nil means use a separate selection buffer for each label type.
+  "Non-nil means use a separate selection buffer for each label type.
 These buffers are kept from one selection to the next and need not to be
 created for each use - so the menu generally comes up faster.  The
 selection buffers will be erased (and therefore updated) automatically
@@ -1705,7 +1705,7 @@ when new labels in its category are added.  See the variable
   :type 'boolean)
 
 (defcustom reftex-auto-update-selection-buffers t
-  "*Non-nil means, selection buffers will be updated automatically.
+  "Non-nil means, selection buffers will be updated automatically.
 When a new label is defined with `reftex-label', all selection buffers
 associated with that label category are emptied, in order to force an
 update upon next use.  When nil, the buffers are left alone and have to be
@@ -1724,14 +1724,14 @@ The value of this variable will only have any effect when
   :group 'reftex)
 
 (defcustom reftex-use-fonts t
-  "*Non-nil means, use fonts in *toc* and selection buffers.
+  "Non-nil means, use fonts in *toc* and selection buffers.
 Font-lock must be loaded as well to actually get fontified display.
 When changing this option, a rescan may be necessary to activate the change."
   :group 'reftex-fontification-configurations
   :type 'boolean)
 
 (defcustom reftex-refontify-context 1
-  "*Non-nil means, re-fontify the context in the label menu with font-lock.
+  "Non-nil means, re-fontify the context in the label menu with font-lock.
 This slightly slows down the creation of the label menu.  It is only necessary
 when you definitely want the context fontified.
 
@@ -1748,7 +1748,7 @@ The option is ignored when `reftex-use-fonts' is nil."
           (const :tag "When necessary" 1)))
 
 (defcustom reftex-highlight-selection 'cursor
-  "*Non-nil mean, highlight selected text in selection and *toc* buffers.
+  "Non-nil mean, highlight selected text in selection and *toc* buffers.
 Normally, the text near the cursor is the selected text, and it is
 highlighted.  This is the entry most keys in the selection and *toc*
 buffers act on.  However, if you mainly use the mouse to select an
@@ -1861,7 +1861,7 @@ bindings with this prefix bound to `reftex-extra-bindings-map'."
   :type 'boolean)
 
 (defcustom reftex-plug-into-AUCTeX nil
-  "*Plug-in flags for AUCTeX interface.
+  "Plug-in flags for AUCTeX interface.
 This variable is a list of 4 boolean flags.  When a flag is non-nil,
 RefTeX will
 
@@ -1896,7 +1896,7 @@ may require a restart of Emacs in order to become effective."
            )))
 
 (defcustom reftex-allow-detached-macro-args nil
-  "*Non-nil means, allow arguments of macros to be detached by whitespace.
+  "Non-nil means, allow arguments of macros to be detached by whitespace.
 When this is t, `aaa' will be considered as argument of \\bb in the following
 construct:  \\bbb [xxx] {aaa}."
   :group 'reftex-miscellaneous-configurations
diff --git a/lisp/textmodes/sgml-mode.el b/lisp/textmodes/sgml-mode.el
index 09f6b6b7cf2..46ba2cf8599 100644
--- a/lisp/textmodes/sgml-mode.el
+++ b/lisp/textmodes/sgml-mode.el
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ Any terminating `>' or `/' is not matched.")
 ;; for font-lock, but must be defvar'ed after
 ;; sgml-font-lock-keywords-1 and sgml-font-lock-keywords-2 above
 (defvar sgml-font-lock-keywords sgml-font-lock-keywords-1
-  "*Rules for highlighting SGML code.  See also `sgml-tag-face-alist'.")
+  "Rules for highlighting SGML code.  See also `sgml-tag-face-alist'.")
 
 (defconst sgml-syntax-propertize-function
   (syntax-propertize-rules
@@ -1843,7 +1843,7 @@ This takes effect when first loading the library.")
       ("u")
       ("var")
       ("wbr" t)))
-  "*Value of `sgml-tag-alist' for HTML mode.")
+  "Value of `sgml-tag-alist' for HTML mode.")
 
 (defvar html-tag-help
   `(,@sgml-tag-help
@@ -1936,7 +1936,7 @@ This takes effect when first loading the library.")
     ("ul" . "Unordered list")
     ("var" . "Math variable face")
     ("wbr" . "Enable <br> within <nobr>"))
-  "*Value of `sgml-tag-help' for HTML mode.")
+  "Value of `sgml-tag-help' for HTML mode.")
 
 
 ;;;###autoload
@@ -2010,7 +2010,7 @@ To work around that, do:
 
 (defvar html-imenu-regexp
   "\\s-*<h\\([1-9]\\)[^\n<>]*>\\(<[^\n<>]*>\\)*\\s-*\\([^\n<>]*\\)"
-  "*A regular expression matching a head line to be added to the menu.
+  "A regular expression matching a head line to be added to the menu.
 The first `match-string' should be a number from 1-9.
 The second `match-string' matches extra tags and is ignored.
 The third `match-string' will be the used in the menu.")
diff --git a/lisp/textmodes/table.el b/lisp/textmodes/table.el
index e98d78ad439..0463ac52b1e 100644
--- a/lisp/textmodes/table.el
+++ b/lisp/textmodes/table.el
@@ -844,7 +844,7 @@ simply by any key input."
 (defvar table-disable-menu (null (and (locate-library "easymenu")
                                       (require 'easymenu)
                                       (fboundp 'easy-menu-add-item)))
-  "*When non-nil, use of menu by table package is disabled.
+  "When non-nil, use of menu by table package is disabled.
 It must be set before loading this package `table.el' for the first
 time.")
 
diff --git a/lisp/textmodes/tex-mode.el b/lisp/textmodes/tex-mode.el
index c5cad045c3f..9472d7df879 100644
--- a/lisp/textmodes/tex-mode.el
+++ b/lisp/textmodes/tex-mode.el
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ Deleted when the \\[tex-region] or \\[tex-buffer] is next run, or when the
 tex shell terminates.")
 
 (defvar tex-command "tex"
-  "*Command to run TeX.
+  "Command to run TeX.
 If this string contains an asterisk \(`*'\), that is replaced by the file name;
 otherwise the value of `tex-start-options', the \(shell-quoted\)
 value of `tex-start-commands', and the file name are added at the end
diff --git a/lisp/textmodes/texinfmt.el b/lisp/textmodes/texinfmt.el
index 3ec59ebcd3e..d318a97d377 100644
--- a/lisp/textmodes/texinfmt.el
+++ b/lisp/textmodes/texinfmt.el
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ If optional argument HERE is non-nil, insert info at point."
     (@unnumberedsubsubsec . @unnumberedsubsec)
     (@subsubheading . @subheading)
     (@appendixsubsubsec . @appendixsubsec))
-  "*An alist of next higher levels for chapters, sections, etc...
+  "An alist of next higher levels for chapters, sections, etc...
 For example, section to chapter, subsection to section.
 Used by `texinfo-raise-lower-sections'.
 The keys specify types of section; the values correspond to the next
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ higher types.")
     (@unnumberedsubsubsec . @unnumberedsubsubsec)
     (@subsubheading . @subsubheading)
     (@appendixsubsubsec . @appendixsubsubsec))
-  "*An alist of next lower levels for chapters, sections, etc...
+  "An alist of next lower levels for chapters, sections, etc...
 For example, chapter to section, section to subsection.
 Used by `texinfo-raise-lower-sections'.
 The keys specify types of section; the values correspond to the next
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ and don't split the file if large.  You can use `Info-tagify' and
                          "done.  Now save it." "done.")))))
 
 (defvar texinfo-region-buffer-name "*Info Region*"
-  "*Name of the temporary buffer used by \\[texinfo-format-region].")
+  "Name of the temporary buffer used by \\[texinfo-format-region].")
 
 (defvar texinfo-pre-format-hook nil
   "Hook called before the conversion of the Texinfo file to Info format.
@@ -1918,7 +1918,7 @@ Used by @refill indenting command to avoid indenting within lists, etc.")
 ;; Texinfo commands.
 
 (defvar texinfo-extra-inter-column-width 0
-  "*Number of extra spaces between entries (columns) in @multitable.")
+  "Number of extra spaces between entries (columns) in @multitable.")
 
 (defvar texinfo-multitable-buffer-name "*multitable-temporary-buffer*")
 (defvar texinfo-multitable-rectangle-name "texinfo-multitable-temp-")
diff --git a/lisp/textmodes/texnfo-upd.el b/lisp/textmodes/texnfo-upd.el
index 83ef834257a..70aa17cea6b 100644
--- a/lisp/textmodes/texnfo-upd.el
+++ b/lisp/textmodes/texnfo-upd.el
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ It comes after the chapter-level menu entries.")
     (3 . (concat "\\(^@\\)\\(" texinfo-section-level-regexp "\\)\\>[ \t]*"))
     (4 . (concat "\\(^@\\)\\(" texinfo-subsection-level-regexp "\\)\\>[ \t]+"))
     (5 . (concat "\\(^@\\)\\(" texinfo-subsubsection-level-regexp "\\)\\>[ \t]+")))
-  "*Regexps for searching for same level sections in a Texinfo file.
+  "Regexps for searching for same level sections in a Texinfo file.
 The keys are strings specifying the general hierarchical level in the
 document; the values are regular expressions.")
 
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ document; the values are regular expressions.")
       "\\|"
       texinfo-chapter-level-regexp
       "\\)\\>[ \t]*\\)")))
-  "*Regexps for searching for higher level sections in a Texinfo file.
+  "Regexps for searching for higher level sections in a Texinfo file.
 The keys are strings specifying the general hierarchical level in the
 document; the values are regular expressions.")
 
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ document; the values are regular expressions.")
       "\\)\\>[ \t]+\\)"))
     ;; There's nothing below 5, use a bogus regexp that can't match.
     (5 . "a\\(^\\)"))
-  "*Regexps for searching for lower level sections in a Texinfo file.
+  "Regexps for searching for lower level sections in a Texinfo file.
 The keys are strings specifying the general hierarchical level in the
 document; the values are regular expressions.")
 
@@ -682,7 +682,7 @@ node within the section."
 
 ;; try 32, but perhaps 24 is better
 (defvar texinfo-column-for-description 32
-  "*Column at which descriptions start in a Texinfo menu.")
+  "Column at which descriptions start in a Texinfo menu.")
 
 (defun texinfo-insert-menu (menu-list node-name)
   "Insert formatted menu at point.