what does "x" mean in the "quadrilateral elements the characteristic length"?

Hello

In the SIMULIA User Assistanc  2021, the part "Theory →elements →shell element →Finite-strain shell element formulation →Rotary inertia scaling for explicit dynamics" has "quadrilateral elements the characteristic length", but I don't quite understand the meaning of x in the formula. It is also not explained in the context.

Does anyone know what he means? I'd be grateful for an answer.