How does the nomenclature "10base2" describe Ethernet cable?

An Ethernet LAN is often described in terms of three parameters: transmission rate, transmission type, and segment distance.

"10base2" means:

• 10 - transmission rate or through put of 10Mbps
• base - transmission type is baseband rather than broadband network (i.e., the signal is placed directly on the cable, one signal at a time)
• 2 - the maximum segment distance in meters times 100; in this case 200 meters (actually only 185 meters)

(In "10baseT," the T stands for twisted pair. Segment distance is 100 meters.)