diff --git a/Documentation/RelNotes/2.7.1.txt b/Documentation/RelNotes/2.7.1.txt
index 6553d69e33..6323feaf64 100644
--- a/Documentation/RelNotes/2.7.1.txt
+++ b/Documentation/RelNotes/2.7.1.txt
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ Fixes since v2.7
    setting GIT_WORK_TREE environment themselves.
 
  * The "exclude_list" structure has the usual "alloc, nr" pair of
-   fields to be used by ALLOC_GROW(), but clear_exclude_list() forgot
+   fields to be used by ALLOC_GROW(), but clear_pattern_list() forgot
    to reset 'alloc' to 0 when it cleared 'nr' to discard the managed
    array.
 
diff --git a/Documentation/RelNotes/2.8.0.txt b/Documentation/RelNotes/2.8.0.txt
index 25079710fa..5fbe1b86ee 100644
--- a/Documentation/RelNotes/2.8.0.txt
+++ b/Documentation/RelNotes/2.8.0.txt
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ notes for details).
    setting GIT_WORK_TREE environment themselves.
 
  * The "exclude_list" structure has the usual "alloc, nr" pair of
-   fields to be used by ALLOC_GROW(), but clear_exclude_list() forgot
+   fields to be used by ALLOC_GROW(), but clear_pattern_list() forgot
    to reset 'alloc' to 0 when it cleared 'nr' to discard the managed
    array.
 
diff --git a/Documentation/technical/api-directory-listing.txt b/Documentation/technical/api-directory-listing.txt
index 5abb8e8b1f..76b6e4f71b 100644
--- a/Documentation/technical/api-directory-listing.txt
+++ b/Documentation/technical/api-directory-listing.txt
@@ -111,11 +111,11 @@ marked. If you to exclude files, make sure you have loaded index first.
 * Prepare `struct dir_struct dir` and clear it with `memset(&dir, 0,
   sizeof(dir))`.
 
-* To add single exclude pattern, call `add_exclude_list()` and then
-  `add_exclude()`.
+* To add single exclude pattern, call `add_pattern_list()` and then
+  `add_pattern()`.
 
 * To add patterns from a file (e.g. `.git/info/exclude`), call
-  `add_excludes_from_file()` , and/or set `dir.exclude_per_dir`.  A
+  `add_patterns_from_file()` , and/or set `dir.exclude_per_dir`.  A
   short-hand function `setup_standard_excludes()` can be used to set
   up the standard set of exclude settings.
 
diff --git a/attr.c b/attr.c
index 93dc16b59c..d02d081e28 100644
--- a/attr.c
+++ b/attr.c
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ struct pattern {
 	const char *pattern;
 	int patternlen;
 	int nowildcardlen;
-	unsigned flags;		/* EXC_FLAG_* */
+	unsigned flags;		/* PATTERN_FLAG_* */
 };
 
 /*
@@ -400,11 +400,11 @@ static struct match_attr *parse_attr_line(const char *line, const char *src,
 		char *p = (char *)&(res->state[num_attr]);
 		memcpy(p, name, namelen);
 		res->u.pat.pattern = p;
-		parse_exclude_pattern(&res->u.pat.pattern,
+		parse_path_pattern(&res->u.pat.pattern,
 				      &res->u.pat.patternlen,
 				      &res->u.pat.flags,
 				      &res->u.pat.nowildcardlen);
-		if (res->u.pat.flags & EXC_FLAG_NEGATIVE) {
+		if (res->u.pat.flags & PATTERN_FLAG_NEGATIVE) {
 			warning(_("Negative patterns are ignored in git attributes\n"
 				  "Use '\\!' for literal leading exclamation."));
 			goto fail_return;
@@ -991,10 +991,10 @@ static int path_matches(const char *pathname, int pathlen,
 	int prefix = pat->nowildcardlen;
 	int isdir = (pathlen && pathname[pathlen - 1] == '/');
 
-	if ((pat->flags & EXC_FLAG_MUSTBEDIR) && !isdir)
+	if ((pat->flags & PATTERN_FLAG_MUSTBEDIR) && !isdir)
 		return 0;
 
-	if (pat->flags & EXC_FLAG_NODIR) {
+	if (pat->flags & PATTERN_FLAG_NODIR) {
 		return match_basename(pathname + basename_offset,
 				      pathlen - basename_offset - isdir,
 				      pattern, prefix,
diff --git a/builtin/check-ignore.c b/builtin/check-ignore.c
index 599097304b..5a4f92395f 100644
--- a/builtin/check-ignore.c
+++ b/builtin/check-ignore.c
@@ -32,19 +32,19 @@ static const struct option check_ignore_options[] = {
 	OPT_END()
 };
 
-static void output_exclude(const char *path, struct exclude *exclude)
+static void output_pattern(const char *path, struct path_pattern *pattern)
 {
-	char *bang  = (exclude && exclude->flags & EXC_FLAG_NEGATIVE)  ? "!" : "";
-	char *slash = (exclude && exclude->flags & EXC_FLAG_MUSTBEDIR) ? "/" : "";
+	char *bang  = (pattern && pattern->flags & PATTERN_FLAG_NEGATIVE)  ? "!" : "";
+	char *slash = (pattern && pattern->flags & PATTERN_FLAG_MUSTBEDIR) ? "/" : "";
 	if (!nul_term_line) {
 		if (!verbose) {
 			write_name_quoted(path, stdout, '\n');
 		} else {
-			if (exclude) {
-				quote_c_style(exclude->el->src, NULL, stdout, 0);
+			if (pattern) {
+				quote_c_style(pattern->pl->src, NULL, stdout, 0);
 				printf(":%d:%s%s%s\t",
-				       exclude->srcpos,
-				       bang, exclude->pattern, slash);
+				       pattern->srcpos,
+				       bang, pattern->pattern, slash);
 			}
 			else {
 				printf("::\t");
@@ -56,11 +56,11 @@ static void output_exclude(const char *path, struct exclude *exclude)
 		if (!verbose) {
 			printf("%s%c", path, '\0');
 		} else {
-			if (exclude)
+			if (pattern)
 				printf("%s%c%d%c%s%s%s%c%s%c",
-				       exclude->el->src, '\0',
-				       exclude->srcpos, '\0',
-				       bang, exclude->pattern, slash, '\0',
+				       pattern->pl->src, '\0',
+				       pattern->srcpos, '\0',
+				       bang, pattern->pattern, slash, '\0',
 				       path, '\0');
 			else
 				printf("%c%c%c%s%c", '\0', '\0', '\0', path, '\0');
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ static int check_ignore(struct dir_struct *dir,
 	const char *full_path;
 	char *seen;
 	int num_ignored = 0, i;
-	struct exclude *exclude;
+	struct path_pattern *pattern;
 	struct pathspec pathspec;
 
 	if (!argc) {
@@ -103,15 +103,15 @@ static int check_ignore(struct dir_struct *dir,
 	seen = find_pathspecs_matching_against_index(&pathspec, &the_index);
 	for (i = 0; i < pathspec.nr; i++) {
 		full_path = pathspec.items[i].match;
-		exclude = NULL;
+		pattern = NULL;
 		if (!seen[i]) {
 			int dtype = DT_UNKNOWN;
-			exclude = last_exclude_matching(dir, &the_index,
+			pattern = last_matching_pattern(dir, &the_index,
 							full_path, &dtype);
 		}
-		if (!quiet && (exclude || show_non_matching))
-			output_exclude(pathspec.items[i].original, exclude);
-		if (exclude)
+		if (!quiet && (pattern || show_non_matching))
+			output_pattern(pathspec.items[i].original, pattern);
+		if (pattern)
 			num_ignored++;
 	}
 	free(seen);
diff --git a/builtin/clean.c b/builtin/clean.c
index d5579da716..851beb7f0d 100644
--- a/builtin/clean.c
+++ b/builtin/clean.c
@@ -648,7 +648,7 @@ static int filter_by_patterns_cmd(void)
 	struct strbuf confirm = STRBUF_INIT;
 	struct strbuf **ignore_list;
 	struct string_list_item *item;
-	struct exclude_list *el;
+	struct pattern_list *pl;
 	int changed = -1, i;
 
 	for (;;) {
@@ -671,7 +671,7 @@ static int filter_by_patterns_cmd(void)
 			break;
 
 		memset(&dir, 0, sizeof(dir));
-		el = add_exclude_list(&dir, EXC_CMDL, "manual exclude");
+		pl = add_pattern_list(&dir, EXC_CMDL, "manual exclude");
 		ignore_list = strbuf_split_max(&confirm, ' ', 0);
 
 		for (i = 0; ignore_list[i]; i++) {
@@ -679,7 +679,7 @@ static int filter_by_patterns_cmd(void)
 			if (!ignore_list[i]->len)
 				continue;
 
-			add_exclude(ignore_list[i]->buf, "", 0, el, -(i+1));
+			add_pattern(ignore_list[i]->buf, "", 0, pl, -(i+1));
 		}
 
 		changed = 0;
@@ -901,7 +901,7 @@ int cmd_clean(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	struct pathspec pathspec;
 	struct strbuf buf = STRBUF_INIT;
 	struct string_list exclude_list = STRING_LIST_INIT_NODUP;
-	struct exclude_list *el;
+	struct pattern_list *pl;
 	struct string_list_item *item;
 	const char *qname;
 	struct option options[] = {
@@ -958,9 +958,9 @@ int cmd_clean(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	if (!ignored)
 		setup_standard_excludes(&dir);
 
-	el = add_exclude_list(&dir, EXC_CMDL, "--exclude option");
+	pl = add_pattern_list(&dir, EXC_CMDL, "--exclude option");
 	for (i = 0; i < exclude_list.nr; i++)
-		add_exclude(exclude_list.items[i].string, "", 0, el, -(i+1));
+		add_pattern(exclude_list.items[i].string, "", 0, pl, -(i+1));
 
 	parse_pathspec(&pathspec, 0,
 		       PATHSPEC_PREFER_CWD,
diff --git a/builtin/ls-files.c b/builtin/ls-files.c
index 670e8fb93c..f069a028ce 100644
--- a/builtin/ls-files.c
+++ b/builtin/ls-files.c
@@ -492,7 +492,7 @@ static int option_parse_exclude_from(const struct option *opt,
 	BUG_ON_OPT_NEG(unset);
 
 	exc_given = 1;
-	add_excludes_from_file(dir, arg);
+	add_patterns_from_file(dir, arg);
 
 	return 0;
 }
@@ -516,7 +516,7 @@ int cmd_ls_files(int argc, const char **argv, const char *cmd_prefix)
 	int require_work_tree = 0, show_tag = 0, i;
 	const char *max_prefix;
 	struct dir_struct dir;
-	struct exclude_list *el;
+	struct pattern_list *pl;
 	struct string_list exclude_list = STRING_LIST_INIT_NODUP;
 	struct option builtin_ls_files_options[] = {
 		/* Think twice before adding "--nul" synonym to this */
@@ -594,9 +594,9 @@ int cmd_ls_files(int argc, const char **argv, const char *cmd_prefix)
 
 	argc = parse_options(argc, argv, prefix, builtin_ls_files_options,
 			ls_files_usage, 0);
-	el = add_exclude_list(&dir, EXC_CMDL, "--exclude option");
+	pl = add_pattern_list(&dir, EXC_CMDL, "--exclude option");
 	for (i = 0; i < exclude_list.nr; i++) {
-		add_exclude(exclude_list.items[i].string, "", 0, el, --exclude_args);
+		add_pattern(exclude_list.items[i].string, "", 0, pl, --exclude_args);
 	}
 	if (show_tag || show_valid_bit || show_fsmonitor_bit) {
 		tag_cached = "H ";
diff --git a/dir.c b/dir.c
index d021c908e5..cab9c2a458 100644
--- a/dir.c
+++ b/dir.c
@@ -561,7 +561,7 @@ int no_wildcard(const char *string)
 	return string[simple_length(string)] == '\0';
 }
 
-void parse_exclude_pattern(const char **pattern,
+void parse_path_pattern(const char **pattern,
 			   int *patternlen,
 			   unsigned *flags,
 			   int *nowildcardlen)
@@ -571,20 +571,20 @@ void parse_exclude_pattern(const char **pattern,
 
 	*flags = 0;
 	if (*p == '!') {
-		*flags |= EXC_FLAG_NEGATIVE;
+		*flags |= PATTERN_FLAG_NEGATIVE;
 		p++;
 	}
 	len = strlen(p);
 	if (len && p[len - 1] == '/') {
 		len--;
-		*flags |= EXC_FLAG_MUSTBEDIR;
+		*flags |= PATTERN_FLAG_MUSTBEDIR;
 	}
 	for (i = 0; i < len; i++) {
 		if (p[i] == '/')
 			break;
 	}
 	if (i == len)
-		*flags |= EXC_FLAG_NODIR;
+		*flags |= PATTERN_FLAG_NODIR;
 	*nowildcardlen = simple_length(p);
 	/*
 	 * we should have excluded the trailing slash from 'p' too,
@@ -594,35 +594,35 @@ void parse_exclude_pattern(const char **pattern,
 	if (*nowildcardlen > len)
 		*nowildcardlen = len;
 	if (*p == '*' && no_wildcard(p + 1))
-		*flags |= EXC_FLAG_ENDSWITH;
+		*flags |= PATTERN_FLAG_ENDSWITH;
 	*pattern = p;
 	*patternlen = len;
 }
 
-void add_exclude(const char *string, const char *base,
-		 int baselen, struct exclude_list *el, int srcpos)
+void add_pattern(const char *string, const char *base,
+		 int baselen, struct pattern_list *pl, int srcpos)
 {
-	struct exclude *x;
+	struct path_pattern *pattern;
 	int patternlen;
 	unsigned flags;
 	int nowildcardlen;
 
-	parse_exclude_pattern(&string, &patternlen, &flags, &nowildcardlen);
-	if (flags & EXC_FLAG_MUSTBEDIR) {
-		FLEXPTR_ALLOC_MEM(x, pattern, string, patternlen);
+	parse_path_pattern(&string, &patternlen, &flags, &nowildcardlen);
+	if (flags & PATTERN_FLAG_MUSTBEDIR) {
+		FLEXPTR_ALLOC_MEM(pattern, pattern, string, patternlen);
 	} else {
-		x = xmalloc(sizeof(*x));
-		x->pattern = string;
+		pattern = xmalloc(sizeof(*pattern));
+		pattern->pattern = string;
 	}
-	x->patternlen = patternlen;
-	x->nowildcardlen = nowildcardlen;
-	x->base = base;
-	x->baselen = baselen;
-	x->flags = flags;
-	x->srcpos = srcpos;
-	ALLOC_GROW(el->excludes, el->nr + 1, el->alloc);
-	el->excludes[el->nr++] = x;
-	x->el = el;
+	pattern->patternlen = patternlen;
+	pattern->nowildcardlen = nowildcardlen;
+	pattern->base = base;
+	pattern->baselen = baselen;
+	pattern->flags = flags;
+	pattern->srcpos = srcpos;
+	ALLOC_GROW(pl->patterns, pl->nr + 1, pl->alloc);
+	pl->patterns[pl->nr++] = pattern;
+	pattern->pl = pl;
 }
 
 static int read_skip_worktree_file_from_index(const struct index_state *istate,
@@ -643,19 +643,19 @@ static int read_skip_worktree_file_from_index(const struct index_state *istate,
 }
 
 /*
- * Frees memory within el which was allocated for exclude patterns and
- * the file buffer.  Does not free el itself.
+ * Frees memory within pl which was allocated for exclude patterns and
+ * the file buffer.  Does not free pl itself.
  */
-void clear_exclude_list(struct exclude_list *el)
+void clear_pattern_list(struct pattern_list *pl)
 {
 	int i;
 
-	for (i = 0; i < el->nr; i++)
-		free(el->excludes[i]);
-	free(el->excludes);
-	free(el->filebuf);
+	for (i = 0; i < pl->nr; i++)
+		free(pl->patterns[i]);
+	free(pl->patterns);
+	free(pl->filebuf);
 
-	memset(el, 0, sizeof(*el));
+	memset(pl, 0, sizeof(*pl));
 }
 
 static void trim_trailing_spaces(char *buf)
@@ -762,21 +762,21 @@ static void invalidate_directory(struct untracked_cache *uc,
 		dir->dirs[i]->recurse = 0;
 }
 
-static int add_excludes_from_buffer(char *buf, size_t size,
+static int add_patterns_from_buffer(char *buf, size_t size,
 				    const char *base, int baselen,
-				    struct exclude_list *el);
+				    struct pattern_list *pl);
 
 /*
  * Given a file with name "fname", read it (either from disk, or from
  * an index if 'istate' is non-null), parse it and store the
- * exclude rules in "el".
+ * exclude rules in "pl".
  *
  * If "ss" is not NULL, compute SHA-1 of the exclude file and fill
- * stat data from disk (only valid if add_excludes returns zero). If
+ * stat data from disk (only valid if add_patterns returns zero). If
  * ss_valid is non-zero, "ss" must contain good value as input.
  */
-static int add_excludes(const char *fname, const char *base, int baselen,
-			struct exclude_list *el, struct index_state *istate,
+static int add_patterns(const char *fname, const char *base, int baselen,
+			struct pattern_list *pl, struct index_state *istate,
 			struct oid_stat *oid_stat)
 {
 	struct stat st;
@@ -837,21 +837,21 @@ static int add_excludes(const char *fname, const char *base, int baselen,
 		}
 	}
 
-	add_excludes_from_buffer(buf, size, base, baselen, el);
+	add_patterns_from_buffer(buf, size, base, baselen, pl);
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int add_excludes_from_buffer(char *buf, size_t size,
+static int add_patterns_from_buffer(char *buf, size_t size,
 				    const char *base, int baselen,
-				    struct exclude_list *el)
+				    struct pattern_list *pl)
 {
 	int i, lineno = 1;
 	char *entry;
 
-	el->filebuf = buf;
+	pl->filebuf = buf;
 
 	if (skip_utf8_bom(&buf, size))
-		size -= buf - el->filebuf;
+		size -= buf - pl->filebuf;
 
 	entry = buf;
 
@@ -860,7 +860,7 @@ static int add_excludes_from_buffer(char *buf, size_t size,
 			if (entry != buf + i && entry[0] != '#') {
 				buf[i - (i && buf[i-1] == '\r')] = 0;
 				trim_trailing_spaces(entry);
-				add_exclude(entry, base, baselen, el, lineno);
+				add_pattern(entry, base, baselen, pl, lineno);
 			}
 			lineno++;
 			entry = buf + i + 1;
@@ -869,17 +869,17 @@ static int add_excludes_from_buffer(char *buf, size_t size,
 	return 0;
 }
 
-int add_excludes_from_file_to_list(const char *fname, const char *base,
-				   int baselen, struct exclude_list *el,
+int add_patterns_from_file_to_list(const char *fname, const char *base,
+				   int baselen, struct pattern_list *pl,
 				   struct index_state *istate)
 {
-	return add_excludes(fname, base, baselen, el, istate, NULL);
+	return add_patterns(fname, base, baselen, pl, istate, NULL);
 }
 
-int add_excludes_from_blob_to_list(
+int add_patterns_from_blob_to_list(
 	struct object_id *oid,
 	const char *base, int baselen,
-	struct exclude_list *el)
+	struct pattern_list *pl)
 {
 	char *buf;
 	size_t size;
@@ -889,31 +889,31 @@ int add_excludes_from_blob_to_list(
 	if (r != 1)
 		return r;
 
-	add_excludes_from_buffer(buf, size, base, baselen, el);
+	add_patterns_from_buffer(buf, size, base, baselen, pl);
 	return 0;
 }
 
-struct exclude_list *add_exclude_list(struct dir_struct *dir,
+struct pattern_list *add_pattern_list(struct dir_struct *dir,
 				      int group_type, const char *src)
 {
-	struct exclude_list *el;
+	struct pattern_list *pl;
 	struct exclude_list_group *group;
 
 	group = &dir->exclude_list_group[group_type];
-	ALLOC_GROW(group->el, group->nr + 1, group->alloc);
-	el = &group->el[group->nr++];
-	memset(el, 0, sizeof(*el));
-	el->src = src;
-	return el;
+	ALLOC_GROW(group->pl, group->nr + 1, group->alloc);
+	pl = &group->pl[group->nr++];
+	memset(pl, 0, sizeof(*pl));
+	pl->src = src;
+	return pl;
 }
 
 /*
  * Used to set up core.excludesfile and .git/info/exclude lists.
  */
-static void add_excludes_from_file_1(struct dir_struct *dir, const char *fname,
+static void add_patterns_from_file_1(struct dir_struct *dir, const char *fname,
 				     struct oid_stat *oid_stat)
 {
-	struct exclude_list *el;
+	struct pattern_list *pl;
 	/*
 	 * catch setup_standard_excludes() that's called before
 	 * dir->untracked is assigned. That function behaves
@@ -921,15 +921,15 @@ static void add_excludes_from_file_1(struct dir_struct *dir, const char *fname,
 	 */
 	if (!dir->untracked)
 		dir->unmanaged_exclude_files++;
-	el = add_exclude_list(dir, EXC_FILE, fname);
-	if (add_excludes(fname, "", 0, el, NULL, oid_stat) < 0)
+	pl = add_pattern_list(dir, EXC_FILE, fname);
+	if (add_patterns(fname, "", 0, pl, NULL, oid_stat) < 0)
 		die(_("cannot use %s as an exclude file"), fname);
 }
 
-void add_excludes_from_file(struct dir_struct *dir, const char *fname)
+void add_patterns_from_file(struct dir_struct *dir, const char *fname)
 {
 	dir->unmanaged_exclude_files++; /* see validate_untracked_cache() */
-	add_excludes_from_file_1(dir, fname, NULL);
+	add_patterns_from_file_1(dir, fname, NULL);
 }
 
 int match_basename(const char *basename, int basenamelen,
@@ -940,7 +940,7 @@ int match_basename(const char *basename, int basenamelen,
 		if (patternlen == basenamelen &&
 		    !fspathncmp(pattern, basename, basenamelen))
 			return 1;
-	} else if (flags & EXC_FLAG_ENDSWITH) {
+	} else if (flags & PATTERN_FLAG_ENDSWITH) {
 		/* "*literal" matching against "fooliteral" */
 		if (patternlen - 1 <= basenamelen &&
 		    !fspathncmp(pattern + 1,
@@ -1021,85 +1021,97 @@ int match_pathname(const char *pathname, int pathlen,
  * any, determines the fate.  Returns the exclude_list element which
  * matched, or NULL for undecided.
  */
-static struct exclude *last_exclude_matching_from_list(const char *pathname,
+static struct path_pattern *last_matching_pattern_from_list(const char *pathname,
 						       int pathlen,
 						       const char *basename,
 						       int *dtype,
-						       struct exclude_list *el,
+						       struct pattern_list *pl,
 						       struct index_state *istate)
 {
-	struct exclude *exc = NULL; /* undecided */
+	struct path_pattern *res = NULL; /* undecided */
 	int i;
 
-	if (!el->nr)
+	if (!pl->nr)
 		return NULL;	/* undefined */
 
-	for (i = el->nr - 1; 0 <= i; i--) {
-		struct exclude *x = el->excludes[i];
-		const char *exclude = x->pattern;
-		int prefix = x->nowildcardlen;
+	for (i = pl->nr - 1; 0 <= i; i--) {
+		struct path_pattern *pattern = pl->patterns[i];
+		const char *exclude = pattern->pattern;
+		int prefix = pattern->nowildcardlen;
 
-		if (x->flags & EXC_FLAG_MUSTBEDIR) {
+		if (pattern->flags & PATTERN_FLAG_MUSTBEDIR) {
 			if (*dtype == DT_UNKNOWN)
 				*dtype = get_dtype(NULL, istate, pathname, pathlen);
 			if (*dtype != DT_DIR)
 				continue;
 		}
 
-		if (x->flags & EXC_FLAG_NODIR) {
+		if (pattern->flags & PATTERN_FLAG_NODIR) {
 			if (match_basename(basename,
 					   pathlen - (basename - pathname),
-					   exclude, prefix, x->patternlen,
-					   x->flags)) {
-				exc = x;
+					   exclude, prefix, pattern->patternlen,
+					   pattern->flags)) {
+				res = pattern;
 				break;
 			}
 			continue;
 		}
 
-		assert(x->baselen == 0 || x->base[x->baselen - 1] == '/');
+		assert(pattern->baselen == 0 ||
+		       pattern->base[pattern->baselen - 1] == '/');
 		if (match_pathname(pathname, pathlen,
-				   x->base, x->baselen ? x->baselen - 1 : 0,
-				   exclude, prefix, x->patternlen, x->flags)) {
-			exc = x;
+				   pattern->base,
+				   pattern->baselen ? pattern->baselen - 1 : 0,
+				   exclude, prefix, pattern->patternlen,
+				   pattern->flags)) {
+			res = pattern;
 			break;
 		}
 	}
-	return exc;
+	return res;
 }
 
 /*
- * Scan the list and let the last match determine the fate.
- * Return 1 for exclude, 0 for include and -1 for undecided.
+ * Scan the list of patterns to determine if the ordered list
+ * of patterns matches on 'pathname'.
+ *
+ * Return 1 for a match, 0 for not matched and -1 for undecided.
  */
-int is_excluded_from_list(const char *pathname,
-			  int pathlen, const char *basename, int *dtype,
-			  struct exclude_list *el, struct index_state *istate)
+enum pattern_match_result path_matches_pattern_list(
+				const char *pathname, int pathlen,
+				const char *basename, int *dtype,
+				struct pattern_list *pl,
+				struct index_state *istate)
 {
-	struct exclude *exclude;
-	exclude = last_exclude_matching_from_list(pathname, pathlen, basename,
-						  dtype, el, istate);
-	if (exclude)
-		return exclude->flags & EXC_FLAG_NEGATIVE ? 0 : 1;
-	return -1; /* undecided */
+	struct path_pattern *pattern;
+	pattern = last_matching_pattern_from_list(pathname, pathlen, basename,
+						  dtype, pl, istate);
+	if (pattern) {
+		if (pattern->flags & PATTERN_FLAG_NEGATIVE)
+			return NOT_MATCHED;
+		else
+			return MATCHED;
+	}
+
+	return UNDECIDED;
 }
 
-static struct exclude *last_exclude_matching_from_lists(struct dir_struct *dir,
-							struct index_state *istate,
-		const char *pathname, int pathlen, const char *basename,
-		int *dtype_p)
+static struct path_pattern *last_matching_pattern_from_lists(
+		struct dir_struct *dir, struct index_state *istate,
+		const char *pathname, int pathlen,
+		const char *basename, int *dtype_p)
 {
 	int i, j;
 	struct exclude_list_group *group;
-	struct exclude *exclude;
+	struct path_pattern *pattern;
 	for (i = EXC_CMDL; i <= EXC_FILE; i++) {
 		group = &dir->exclude_list_group[i];
 		for (j = group->nr - 1; j >= 0; j--) {
-			exclude = last_exclude_matching_from_list(
+			pattern = last_matching_pattern_from_list(
 				pathname, pathlen, basename, dtype_p,
-				&group->el[j], istate);
-			if (exclude)
-				return exclude;
+				&group->pl[j], istate);
+			if (pattern)
+				return pattern;
 		}
 	}
 	return NULL;
@@ -1114,7 +1126,7 @@ static void prep_exclude(struct dir_struct *dir,
 			 const char *base, int baselen)
 {
 	struct exclude_list_group *group;
-	struct exclude_list *el;
+	struct pattern_list *pl;
 	struct exclude_stack *stk = NULL;
 	struct untracked_cache_dir *untracked;
 	int current;
@@ -1130,17 +1142,17 @@ static void prep_exclude(struct dir_struct *dir,
 		if (stk->baselen <= baselen &&
 		    !strncmp(dir->basebuf.buf, base, stk->baselen))
 			break;
-		el = &group->el[dir->exclude_stack->exclude_ix];
+		pl = &group->pl[dir->exclude_stack->exclude_ix];
 		dir->exclude_stack = stk->prev;
-		dir->exclude = NULL;
-		free((char *)el->src); /* see strbuf_detach() below */
-		clear_exclude_list(el);
+		dir->pattern = NULL;
+		free((char *)pl->src); /* see strbuf_detach() below */
+		clear_pattern_list(pl);
 		free(stk);
 		group->nr--;
 	}
 
 	/* Skip traversing into sub directories if the parent is excluded */
-	if (dir->exclude)
+	if (dir->pattern)
 		return;
 
 	/*
@@ -1181,7 +1193,7 @@ static void prep_exclude(struct dir_struct *dir,
 		stk->baselen = cp - base;
 		stk->exclude_ix = group->nr;
 		stk->ucd = untracked;
-		el = add_exclude_list(dir, EXC_DIRS, NULL);
+		pl = add_pattern_list(dir, EXC_DIRS, NULL);
 		strbuf_add(&dir->basebuf, base + current, stk->baselen - current);
 		assert(stk->baselen == dir->basebuf.len);
 
@@ -1189,15 +1201,15 @@ static void prep_exclude(struct dir_struct *dir,
 		if (stk->baselen) {
 			int dt = DT_DIR;
 			dir->basebuf.buf[stk->baselen - 1] = 0;
-			dir->exclude = last_exclude_matching_from_lists(dir,
+			dir->pattern = last_matching_pattern_from_lists(dir,
 									istate,
 				dir->basebuf.buf, stk->baselen - 1,
 				dir->basebuf.buf + current, &dt);
 			dir->basebuf.buf[stk->baselen - 1] = '/';
-			if (dir->exclude &&
-			    dir->exclude->flags & EXC_FLAG_NEGATIVE)
-				dir->exclude = NULL;
-			if (dir->exclude) {
+			if (dir->pattern &&
+			    dir->pattern->flags & PATTERN_FLAG_NEGATIVE)
+				dir->pattern = NULL;
+			if (dir->pattern) {
 				dir->exclude_stack = stk;
 				return;
 			}
@@ -1223,30 +1235,30 @@ static void prep_exclude(struct dir_struct *dir,
 			/*
 			 * dir->basebuf gets reused by the traversal, but we
 			 * need fname to remain unchanged to ensure the src
-			 * member of each struct exclude correctly
+			 * member of each struct path_pattern correctly
 			 * back-references its source file.  Other invocations
-			 * of add_exclude_list provide stable strings, so we
+			 * of add_pattern_list provide stable strings, so we
 			 * strbuf_detach() and free() here in the caller.
 			 */
 			struct strbuf sb = STRBUF_INIT;
 			strbuf_addbuf(&sb, &dir->basebuf);
 			strbuf_addstr(&sb, dir->exclude_per_dir);
-			el->src = strbuf_detach(&sb, NULL);
-			add_excludes(el->src, el->src, stk->baselen, el, istate,
+			pl->src = strbuf_detach(&sb, NULL);
+			add_patterns(pl->src, pl->src, stk->baselen, pl, istate,
 				     untracked ? &oid_stat : NULL);
 		}
 		/*
 		 * NEEDSWORK: when untracked cache is enabled, prep_exclude()
 		 * will first be called in valid_cached_dir() then maybe many
-		 * times more in last_exclude_matching(). When the cache is
-		 * used, last_exclude_matching() will not be called and
+		 * times more in last_matching_pattern(). When the cache is
+		 * used, last_matching_pattern() will not be called and
 		 * reading .gitignore content will be a waste.
 		 *
 		 * So when it's called by valid_cached_dir() and we can get
 		 * .gitignore SHA-1 from the index (i.e. .gitignore is not
 		 * modified on work tree), we could delay reading the
 		 * .gitignore content until we absolutely need it in
-		 * last_exclude_matching(). Be careful about ignore rule
+		 * last_matching_pattern(). Be careful about ignore rule
 		 * order, though, if you do that.
 		 */
 		if (untracked &&
@@ -1266,7 +1278,7 @@ static void prep_exclude(struct dir_struct *dir,
  * Returns the exclude_list element which matched, or NULL for
  * undecided.
  */
-struct exclude *last_exclude_matching(struct dir_struct *dir,
+struct path_pattern *last_matching_pattern(struct dir_struct *dir,
 				      struct index_state *istate,
 				      const char *pathname,
 				      int *dtype_p)
@@ -1277,10 +1289,10 @@ struct exclude *last_exclude_matching(struct dir_struct *dir,
 
 	prep_exclude(dir, istate, pathname, basename-pathname);
 
-	if (dir->exclude)
-		return dir->exclude;
+	if (dir->pattern)
+		return dir->pattern;
 
-	return last_exclude_matching_from_lists(dir, istate, pathname, pathlen,
+	return last_matching_pattern_from_lists(dir, istate, pathname, pathlen,
 			basename, dtype_p);
 }
 
@@ -1292,10 +1304,10 @@ struct exclude *last_exclude_matching(struct dir_struct *dir,
 int is_excluded(struct dir_struct *dir, struct index_state *istate,
 		const char *pathname, int *dtype_p)
 {
-	struct exclude *exclude =
-		last_exclude_matching(dir, istate, pathname, dtype_p);
-	if (exclude)
-		return exclude->flags & EXC_FLAG_NEGATIVE ? 0 : 1;
+	struct path_pattern *pattern =
+		last_matching_pattern(dir, istate, pathname, dtype_p);
+	if (pattern)
+		return pattern->flags & PATTERN_FLAG_NEGATIVE ? 0 : 1;
 	return 0;
 }
 
@@ -1808,7 +1820,7 @@ static int valid_cached_dir(struct dir_struct *dir,
 
 	/*
 	 * prep_exclude will be called eventually on this directory,
-	 * but it's called much later in last_exclude_matching(). We
+	 * but it's called much later in last_matching_pattern(). We
 	 * need it now to determine the validity of the cache for this
 	 * path. The next calls will be nearly no-op, the way
 	 * prep_exclude() is designed.
@@ -2488,14 +2500,14 @@ void setup_standard_excludes(struct dir_struct *dir)
 	if (!excludes_file)
 		excludes_file = xdg_config_home("ignore");
 	if (excludes_file && !access_or_warn(excludes_file, R_OK, 0))
-		add_excludes_from_file_1(dir, excludes_file,
+		add_patterns_from_file_1(dir, excludes_file,
 					 dir->untracked ? &dir->ss_excludes_file : NULL);
 
 	/* per repository user preference */
 	if (startup_info->have_repository) {
 		const char *path = git_path_info_exclude();
 		if (!access_or_warn(path, R_OK, 0))
-			add_excludes_from_file_1(dir, path,
+			add_patterns_from_file_1(dir, path,
 						 dir->untracked ? &dir->ss_info_exclude : NULL);
 	}
 }
@@ -2527,18 +2539,18 @@ void clear_directory(struct dir_struct *dir)
 {
 	int i, j;
 	struct exclude_list_group *group;
-	struct exclude_list *el;
+	struct pattern_list *pl;
 	struct exclude_stack *stk;
 
 	for (i = EXC_CMDL; i <= EXC_FILE; i++) {
 		group = &dir->exclude_list_group[i];
 		for (j = 0; j < group->nr; j++) {
-			el = &group->el[j];
+			pl = &group->pl[j];
 			if (i == EXC_DIRS)
-				free((char *)el->src);
-			clear_exclude_list(el);
+				free((char *)pl->src);
+			clear_pattern_list(pl);
 		}
-		free(group->el);
+		free(group->pl);
 	}
 
 	stk = dir->exclude_stack;
diff --git a/dir.h b/dir.h
index 680079bbe3..608696c958 100644
--- a/dir.h
+++ b/dir.h
@@ -11,24 +11,24 @@ struct dir_entry {
 	char name[FLEX_ARRAY]; /* more */
 };
 
-#define EXC_FLAG_NODIR 1
-#define EXC_FLAG_ENDSWITH 4
-#define EXC_FLAG_MUSTBEDIR 8
-#define EXC_FLAG_NEGATIVE 16
+#define PATTERN_FLAG_NODIR 1
+#define PATTERN_FLAG_ENDSWITH 4
+#define PATTERN_FLAG_MUSTBEDIR 8
+#define PATTERN_FLAG_NEGATIVE 16
 
-struct exclude {
+struct path_pattern {
 	/*
-	 * This allows callers of last_exclude_matching() etc.
+	 * This allows callers of last_matching_pattern() etc.
 	 * to determine the origin of the matching pattern.
 	 */
-	struct exclude_list *el;
+	struct pattern_list *pl;
 
 	const char *pattern;
 	int patternlen;
 	int nowildcardlen;
 	const char *base;
 	int baselen;
-	unsigned flags;		/* EXC_FLAG_* */
+	unsigned flags;		/* PATTERN_FLAG_* */
 
 	/*
 	 * Counting starts from 1 for line numbers in ignore files,
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ struct exclude {
  * can also be used to represent the list of --exclude values passed
  * via CLI args.
  */
-struct exclude_list {
+struct pattern_list {
 	int nr;
 	int alloc;
 
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ struct exclude_list {
 	/* origin of list, e.g. path to filename, or descriptive string */
 	const char *src;
 
-	struct exclude **excludes;
+	struct path_pattern **patterns;
 };
 
 /*
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ struct exclude_stack {
 
 struct exclude_list_group {
 	int nr, alloc;
-	struct exclude_list *el;
+	struct pattern_list *pl;
 };
 
 struct oid_stat {
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ struct dir_struct {
 	 * matching exclude struct if the directory is excluded.
 	 */
 	struct exclude_stack *exclude_stack;
-	struct exclude *exclude;
+	struct path_pattern *pattern;
 	struct strbuf basebuf;
 
 	/* Enable untracked file cache if set */
@@ -230,10 +230,23 @@ int read_directory(struct dir_struct *, struct index_state *istate,
 		   const char *path, int len,
 		   const struct pathspec *pathspec);
 
-int is_excluded_from_list(const char *pathname, int pathlen,
-			  const char *basename, int *dtype,
-			  struct exclude_list *el,
-			  struct index_state *istate);
+enum pattern_match_result {
+	UNDECIDED = -1,
+	NOT_MATCHED = 0,
+	MATCHED = 1,
+};
+
+/*
+ * Scan the list of patterns to determine if the ordered list
+ * of patterns matches on 'pathname'.
+ *
+ * Return 1 for a match, 0 for not matched and -1 for undecided.
+ */
+enum pattern_match_result path_matches_pattern_list(const char *pathname,
+				int pathlen,
+				const char *basename, int *dtype,
+				struct pattern_list *pl,
+				struct index_state *istate);
 struct dir_entry *dir_add_ignored(struct dir_struct *dir,
 				  struct index_state *istate,
 				  const char *pathname, int len);
@@ -248,26 +261,26 @@ int match_pathname(const char *, int,
 		   const char *, int,
 		   const char *, int, int, unsigned);
 
-struct exclude *last_exclude_matching(struct dir_struct *dir,
-				      struct index_state *istate,
-				      const char *name, int *dtype);
+struct path_pattern *last_matching_pattern(struct dir_struct *dir,
+					   struct index_state *istate,
+					   const char *name, int *dtype);
 
 int is_excluded(struct dir_struct *dir,
 		struct index_state *istate,
 		const char *name, int *dtype);
 
-struct exclude_list *add_exclude_list(struct dir_struct *dir,
+struct pattern_list *add_pattern_list(struct dir_struct *dir,
 				      int group_type, const char *src);
-int add_excludes_from_file_to_list(const char *fname, const char *base, int baselen,
-				   struct exclude_list *el, struct  index_state *istate);
-void add_excludes_from_file(struct dir_struct *, const char *fname);
-int add_excludes_from_blob_to_list(struct object_id *oid,
+int add_patterns_from_file_to_list(const char *fname, const char *base, int baselen,
+				   struct pattern_list *pl, struct  index_state *istate);
+void add_patterns_from_file(struct dir_struct *, const char *fname);
+int add_patterns_from_blob_to_list(struct object_id *oid,
 				   const char *base, int baselen,
-				   struct exclude_list *el);
-void parse_exclude_pattern(const char **string, int *patternlen, unsigned *flags, int *nowildcardlen);
-void add_exclude(const char *string, const char *base,
-		 int baselen, struct exclude_list *el, int srcpos);
-void clear_exclude_list(struct exclude_list *el);
+				   struct pattern_list *pl);
+void parse_path_pattern(const char **string, int *patternlen, unsigned *flags, int *nowildcardlen);
+void add_pattern(const char *string, const char *base,
+		 int baselen, struct pattern_list *pl, int srcpos);
+void clear_pattern_list(struct pattern_list *pl);
 void clear_directory(struct dir_struct *dir);
 
 int repo_file_exists(struct repository *repo, const char *path);
diff --git a/list-objects-filter.c b/list-objects-filter.c
index d664264d65..d624f1c898 100644
--- a/list-objects-filter.c
+++ b/list-objects-filter.c
@@ -328,12 +328,12 @@ static void filter_blobs_limit__init(
  */
 struct frame {
 	/*
-	 * defval is the usual default include/exclude value that
+	 * default_match is the usual default include/exclude value that
 	 * should be inherited as we recurse into directories based
 	 * upon pattern matching of the directory itself or of a
 	 * containing directory.
 	 */
-	int defval;
+	enum pattern_match_result default_match;
 
 	/*
 	 * 1 if the directory (recursively) contains any provisionally
@@ -347,7 +347,7 @@ struct frame {
 };
 
 struct filter_sparse_data {
-	struct exclude_list el;
+	struct pattern_list pl;
 
 	size_t nr, alloc;
 	struct frame *array_frame;
@@ -363,8 +363,9 @@ static enum list_objects_filter_result filter_sparse(
 	void *filter_data_)
 {
 	struct filter_sparse_data *filter_data = filter_data_;
-	int val, dtype;
+	int dtype;
 	struct frame *frame;
+	enum pattern_match_result match;
 
 	switch (filter_situation) {
 	default:
@@ -373,15 +374,15 @@ static enum list_objects_filter_result filter_sparse(
 	case LOFS_BEGIN_TREE:
 		assert(obj->type == OBJ_TREE);
 		dtype = DT_DIR;
-		val = is_excluded_from_list(pathname, strlen(pathname),
-					    filename, &dtype, &filter_data->el,
-					    r->index);
-		if (val < 0)
-			val = filter_data->array_frame[filter_data->nr - 1].defval;
+		match = path_matches_pattern_list(pathname, strlen(pathname),
+						  filename, &dtype, &filter_data->pl,
+						  r->index);
+		if (match == UNDECIDED)
+			match = filter_data->array_frame[filter_data->nr - 1].default_match;
 
 		ALLOC_GROW(filter_data->array_frame, filter_data->nr + 1,
 			   filter_data->alloc);
-		filter_data->array_frame[filter_data->nr].defval = val;
+		filter_data->array_frame[filter_data->nr].default_match = match;
 		filter_data->array_frame[filter_data->nr].child_prov_omit = 0;
 		filter_data->nr++;
 
@@ -435,12 +436,12 @@ static enum list_objects_filter_result filter_sparse(
 		frame = &filter_data->array_frame[filter_data->nr - 1];
 
 		dtype = DT_REG;
-		val = is_excluded_from_list(pathname, strlen(pathname),
-					    filename, &dtype, &filter_data->el,
+		match = path_matches_pattern_list(pathname, strlen(pathname),
+					    filename, &dtype, &filter_data->pl,
 					    r->index);
-		if (val < 0)
-			val = frame->defval;
-		if (val > 0) {
+		if (match == UNDECIDED)
+			match = frame->default_match;
+		if (match == MATCHED) {
 			if (omits)
 				oidset_remove(omits, &obj->oid);
 			return LOFR_MARK_SEEN | LOFR_DO_SHOW;
@@ -482,12 +483,12 @@ static void filter_sparse_oid__init(
 	struct filter *filter)
 {
 	struct filter_sparse_data *d = xcalloc(1, sizeof(*d));
-	if (add_excludes_from_blob_to_list(filter_options->sparse_oid_value,
-					   NULL, 0, &d->el) < 0)
+	if (add_patterns_from_blob_to_list(filter_options->sparse_oid_value,
+					   NULL, 0, &d->pl) < 0)
 		die("could not load filter specification");
 
 	ALLOC_GROW(d->array_frame, d->nr + 1, d->alloc);
-	d->array_frame[d->nr].defval = 0; /* default to include */
+	d->array_frame[d->nr].default_match = 0; /* default to include */
 	d->array_frame[d->nr].child_prov_omit = 0;
 	d->nr++;
 
diff --git a/unpack-trees.c b/unpack-trees.c
index 9c25126aec..f0f56d40ac 100644
--- a/unpack-trees.c
+++ b/unpack-trees.c
@@ -1269,7 +1269,8 @@ static int clear_ce_flags_1(struct index_state *istate,
 			    struct cache_entry **cache, int nr,
 			    struct strbuf *prefix,
 			    int select_mask, int clear_mask,
-			    struct exclude_list *el, int defval);
+			    struct pattern_list *pl,
+			    enum pattern_match_result default_match);
 
 /* Whole directory matching */
 static int clear_ce_flags_dir(struct index_state *istate,
@@ -1277,19 +1278,21 @@ static int clear_ce_flags_dir(struct index_state *istate,
 			      struct strbuf *prefix,
 			      char *basename,
 			      int select_mask, int clear_mask,
-			      struct exclude_list *el, int defval)
+			      struct pattern_list *pl,
+			      enum pattern_match_result default_match)
 {
 	struct cache_entry **cache_end;
 	int dtype = DT_DIR;
-	int ret = is_excluded_from_list(prefix->buf, prefix->len,
-					basename, &dtype, el, istate);
 	int rc;
+	enum pattern_match_result ret;
+	ret = path_matches_pattern_list(prefix->buf, prefix->len,
+					basename, &dtype, pl, istate);
 
 	strbuf_addch(prefix, '/');
 
 	/* If undecided, use matching result of parent dir in defval */
-	if (ret < 0)
-		ret = defval;
+	if (ret == UNDECIDED)
+		ret = default_match;
 
 	for (cache_end = cache; cache_end != cache + nr; cache_end++) {
 		struct cache_entry *ce = *cache_end;
@@ -1298,23 +1301,23 @@ static int clear_ce_flags_dir(struct index_state *istate,
 	}
 
 	/*
-	 * TODO: check el, if there are no patterns that may conflict
+	 * TODO: check pl, if there are no patterns that may conflict
 	 * with ret (iow, we know in advance the incl/excl
 	 * decision for the entire directory), clear flag here without
 	 * calling clear_ce_flags_1(). That function will call
-	 * the expensive is_excluded_from_list() on every entry.
+	 * the expensive path_matches_pattern_list() on every entry.
 	 */
 	rc = clear_ce_flags_1(istate, cache, cache_end - cache,
 			      prefix,
 			      select_mask, clear_mask,
-			      el, ret);
+			      pl, ret);
 	strbuf_setlen(prefix, prefix->len - 1);
 	return rc;
 }
 
 /*
  * Traverse the index, find every entry that matches according to
- * o->el. Do "ce_flags &= ~clear_mask" on those entries. Return the
+ * o->pl. Do "ce_flags &= ~clear_mask" on those entries. Return the
  * number of traversed entries.
  *
  * If select_mask is non-zero, only entries whose ce_flags has on of
@@ -1331,7 +1334,8 @@ static int clear_ce_flags_1(struct index_state *istate,
 			    struct cache_entry **cache, int nr,
 			    struct strbuf *prefix,
 			    int select_mask, int clear_mask,
-			    struct exclude_list *el, int defval)
+			    struct pattern_list *pl,
+			    enum pattern_match_result default_match)
 {
 	struct cache_entry **cache_end = cache + nr;
 
@@ -1342,7 +1346,8 @@ static int clear_ce_flags_1(struct index_state *istate,
 	while(cache != cache_end) {
 		struct cache_entry *ce = *cache;
 		const char *name, *slash;
-		int len, dtype, ret;
+		int len, dtype;
+		enum pattern_match_result ret;
 
 		if (select_mask && !(ce->ce_flags & select_mask)) {
 			cache++;
@@ -1366,7 +1371,7 @@ static int clear_ce_flags_1(struct index_state *istate,
 						       prefix,
 						       prefix->buf + prefix->len - len,
 						       select_mask, clear_mask,
-						       el, defval);
+						       pl, default_match);
 
 			/* clear_c_f_dir eats a whole dir already? */
 			if (processed) {
@@ -1378,18 +1383,20 @@ static int clear_ce_flags_1(struct index_state *istate,
 			strbuf_addch(prefix, '/');
 			cache += clear_ce_flags_1(istate, cache, cache_end - cache,
 						  prefix,
-						  select_mask, clear_mask, el, defval);
+						  select_mask, clear_mask, pl,
+						  default_match);
 			strbuf_setlen(prefix, prefix->len - len - 1);
 			continue;
 		}
 
 		/* Non-directory */
 		dtype = ce_to_dtype(ce);
-		ret = is_excluded_from_list(ce->name, ce_namelen(ce),
-					    name, &dtype, el, istate);
-		if (ret < 0)
-			ret = defval;
-		if (ret > 0)
+		ret = path_matches_pattern_list(ce->name,
+						ce_namelen(ce),
+						name, &dtype, pl, istate);
+		if (ret == UNDECIDED)
+			ret = default_match;
+		if (ret == MATCHED)
 			ce->ce_flags &= ~clear_mask;
 		cache++;
 	}
@@ -1398,7 +1405,7 @@ static int clear_ce_flags_1(struct index_state *istate,
 
 static int clear_ce_flags(struct index_state *istate,
 			  int select_mask, int clear_mask,
-			  struct exclude_list *el)
+			  struct pattern_list *pl)
 {
 	static struct strbuf prefix = STRBUF_INIT;
 
@@ -1409,13 +1416,13 @@ static int clear_ce_flags(struct index_state *istate,
 				istate->cache_nr,
 				&prefix,
 				select_mask, clear_mask,
-				el, 0);
+				pl, 0);
 }
 
 /*
  * Set/Clear CE_NEW_SKIP_WORKTREE according to $GIT_DIR/info/sparse-checkout
  */
-static void mark_new_skip_worktree(struct exclude_list *el,
+static void mark_new_skip_worktree(struct pattern_list *pl,
 				   struct index_state *istate,
 				   int select_flag, int skip_wt_flag)
 {
@@ -1441,7 +1448,7 @@ static void mark_new_skip_worktree(struct exclude_list *el,
 	 * 2. Widen worktree according to sparse-checkout file.
 	 * Matched entries will have skip_wt_flag cleared (i.e. "in")
 	 */
-	clear_ce_flags(istate, select_flag, skip_wt_flag, el);
+	clear_ce_flags(istate, select_flag, skip_wt_flag, pl);
 }
 
 static int verify_absent(const struct cache_entry *,
@@ -1457,21 +1464,21 @@ int unpack_trees(unsigned len, struct tree_desc *t, struct unpack_trees_options
 {
 	int i, ret;
 	static struct cache_entry *dfc;
-	struct exclude_list el;
+	struct pattern_list pl;
 
 	if (len > MAX_UNPACK_TREES)
 		die("unpack_trees takes at most %d trees", MAX_UNPACK_TREES);
 
 	trace_performance_enter();
-	memset(&el, 0, sizeof(el));
+	memset(&pl, 0, sizeof(pl));
 	if (!core_apply_sparse_checkout || !o->update)
 		o->skip_sparse_checkout = 1;
 	if (!o->skip_sparse_checkout) {
 		char *sparse = git_pathdup("info/sparse-checkout");
-		if (add_excludes_from_file_to_list(sparse, "", 0, &el, NULL) < 0)
+		if (add_patterns_from_file_to_list(sparse, "", 0, &pl, NULL) < 0)
 			o->skip_sparse_checkout = 1;
 		else
-			o->el = &el;
+			o->pl = &pl;
 		free(sparse);
 	}
 
@@ -1502,7 +1509,7 @@ int unpack_trees(unsigned len, struct tree_desc *t, struct unpack_trees_options
 	 * Sparse checkout loop #1: set NEW_SKIP_WORKTREE on existing entries
 	 */
 	if (!o->skip_sparse_checkout)
-		mark_new_skip_worktree(o->el, o->src_index, 0, CE_NEW_SKIP_WORKTREE);
+		mark_new_skip_worktree(o->pl, o->src_index, 0, CE_NEW_SKIP_WORKTREE);
 
 	if (!dfc)
 		dfc = xcalloc(1, cache_entry_size(0));
@@ -1567,7 +1574,7 @@ int unpack_trees(unsigned len, struct tree_desc *t, struct unpack_trees_options
 		 * If the will have NEW_SKIP_WORKTREE, also set CE_SKIP_WORKTREE
 		 * so apply_sparse_checkout() won't attempt to remove it from worktree
 		 */
-		mark_new_skip_worktree(o->el, &o->result, CE_ADDED, CE_SKIP_WORKTREE | CE_NEW_SKIP_WORKTREE);
+		mark_new_skip_worktree(o->pl, &o->result, CE_ADDED, CE_SKIP_WORKTREE | CE_NEW_SKIP_WORKTREE);
 
 		ret = 0;
 		for (i = 0; i < o->result.cache_nr; i++) {
@@ -1635,7 +1642,7 @@ int unpack_trees(unsigned len, struct tree_desc *t, struct unpack_trees_options
 
 done:
 	trace_performance_leave("unpack_trees");
-	clear_exclude_list(&el);
+	clear_pattern_list(&pl);
 	return ret;
 
 return_failed:
diff --git a/unpack-trees.h b/unpack-trees.h
index d344d7d296..f2eee0c7c5 100644
--- a/unpack-trees.h
+++ b/unpack-trees.h
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 
 struct cache_entry;
 struct unpack_trees_options;
-struct exclude_list;
+struct pattern_list;
 
 typedef int (*merge_fn_t)(const struct cache_entry * const *src,
 		struct unpack_trees_options *options);
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ struct unpack_trees_options {
 	struct index_state *src_index;
 	struct index_state result;
 
-	struct exclude_list *el; /* for internal use */
+	struct pattern_list *pl; /* for internal use */
 };
 
 int unpack_trees(unsigned n, struct tree_desc *t,