When using a wedge socket, the dead end of the rope is secured in the socket by the:

The dead end of the rope is secured in the wedge socket by the wedge itself. In a wedge socket, the wedge is designed to be inserted into the socket after the rope's dead end has been threaded through. When the wedge is driven down into the socket, it compresses against the rope, locking it in place and preventing any slippage. This mechanism creates a secure termination point for the dead end of the rope, ensuring that the load can be safely managed. The wedge serves a crucial role in the rigging system, making it key to the effectiveness and safety of using the wedge socket.

While the other options might relate to components in a rigging system, they do not specifically perform the function of securing the dead end of the rope within the wedge socket. The live end provides the working portion of the rope, the pin may relate to other types of connections or hardware, and the socket is the overall structure that houses the wedge and rope. Each has its purpose, but it is the wedge that directly holds the rope in position.