Aloof or malcontent, keeping aloof (6)
I believe the answer is:
formal
'aloof' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'aloof or malcontent keeping' is the wordplay.
'keeping' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'FORMAL' can be found hidden inside 'aloof or malcontent'.
(Other definitions for formal that I've seen before include "Ceremonial or stiffly polite" , "Ceremonious or official" , "Conforming to accepted rules or customs" , "stuffy" , "Stately or official" .)